RFA Mandarin service reporter Han Qing interviewed several women about their hopes, concerns, and advice to other Chinese women on International Women's Day:
Hotel receptionist, 20s, Beijing:
"Overall, the situation regarding Chinese women is improving. Generally women are of equal status. Men and women generally get equal pay if they work in the same job category. Regarding increasing reports of incidents of domestic violence against women in China, the situation in rural areas is more severe than in cities. Even though some men have complained that their wives beat them and they too are the victims of domestic violence, I think that many more women are beaten by men, because men are more physically strong and aggressive."
"I think that in the cities, verbal abuse is more common. I think that women face more challenges than men in competition for white-collar jobs because they shoulder the burden of family and children more. I wish that the government or employers would take better care of women, for example by reimbursing more medical expenses during pregnancy and childbirth, so as to not place too much of a burden on the family budget."
Single woman, 20s, Tianjin:
"I am pretty career-oriented ... I think if I had to choose between my career and marriage, I would probably choose my career. Of course, if I could have both, that would be terrific. [In the workplace] management should understand and consider the differences between men and women, and place them in positions that are as appropriate as possible. For example, women are usually more careful and tolerant, while men tend to be more aggressive and ambitious. Both have strengths in different areas."
"There has been a big improvement [in women's overall status] compared with the past because many more women are joining the workforce instead of being housewives ... I hope that women, even when they’re busy with their careers and families, will take time to care for themselves, physically, mentally, and emotionally."
Lou Wenjing, U.S.-based academic:
"I would prefer to be considered as a person first, instead of as a woman first. I don't want to clearly distinguish between men and women. I'd rather think of them as individuals when it comes to career issues and so on. [What satisfies me the most in life is that] I was just promoted to tenure status as a professor. My husband fully supports my career. He went along with my decision to move from China to United States, which is unusual for a Chinese man to do."
"There is an old saying, 'behind every successful man, there is a woman.' Well, in my case, I have a great man behind me—my husband. I would advise people to count their blessings every day and be grateful for what they have. [My advice to young Chinese women in their careers would be] to try to find the right balance between their families and their career."
Ms. Zhang, retired rocket scientist, Beijing:
"Since Mao Zedong took power in 1949, the status of women has greatly improved because of government policies to ensure the equality of men and women. The number of women in my scientific field surprises even visiting American scientists. I believe that if you promote the equality of one gender over the other, they will never be truly equal. True equality consists of absolutely no policies to protect either gender. Presently, such policies may be needed, however, as Chinese women traditionally were, and most of them still are, in a disadvantaged or vulnerable position."
"As a woman, I believe that if women really want to be treated as equals, they must respect themselves first and foremost. If a woman believes that she needs to be protected, there will never be impartiality. Lastly, everybody should be treated as a person first. As long as there are policies made to protect women’s rights, to keep certain male-to-female ratios when promotions occur, women will never be seen as equal with men."
Yang Quanli, unemployed whistleblower, Guizhou:
"Right now I feel miserable. I am in Beijing petitioning for my employment rights. I used to work for a major Chinese bank, and I was fired because I blew the whistle on corruption in its management."
"Now, my living conditions are terrible, and my health is rapidly getting worse. I have come to Beijing more than 20 times, trying to get the government to help me resolve this issue, but none of them wants to know. I have no income, and I'm running out of money."
Original reporting in Mandarin by Han Qing. Mandarin service director: Jennifer Chou. Produced for the Web in English by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.