When the People’s Republic of China was first established in 1949, the basic law stated that “women shall enjoy equal rights with men in political, economic, cultural, educational and social life.” The promise of gender equality was famously stated, “women hold up half the sky,” and women’s rights advanced during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). However, under a patriarchal state government and systemic gender biases, China’s economic development over the last 45 years has disproportionately benefited men. Inequalities persist in education, employment, income, and political participation, with women representing just 25 percent of the country’s legislature. The 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment ranked China 107th out of 156 countries. Fortunately, the Chinese government has begun implementing new legislation to protect the rights of women and prevent gender discrimination. The All-China Women’s Federation and other female-led advocacy organizations are dedicated to ensuring these commitments are upheld.
Female athletes have greatly contributed to China’s rich sports history and international success. Table tennis has long been considered the national sport of China with the women’s team dominating the global stage, winning gold in every Olympics since it became an official sport in 1988. The women’s national volleyball team has also proven dominant with two Olympic golds and 6 World Cup titles. Soccer is gaining ground as the most popular sport among women and girls, in large part to the success of the women’s national team, the Steel Roses. The Chinese team has only missed one World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1991, finishing as runners-up in 1999—the most attended event in women’s sports history.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in China:
Xinyi Hua
Hongxia Wei
How does China compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
25%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
7%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Rosamond Soong Ch'ing-ling, 1968 - 1972, 1981
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
No
Title IX Timeline
1911
The Chinese Revolution, a war that ended China’s last imperial Dynasty and resulted in the establishment of the Republic of China, began on October 10th and lasted 4 months.
1936
Yang Xiuqiong and Li Sen became the first women to represent China in the Olympics.
1947
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1949
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established on October 1st by the Chinese Communist Party.
1968
Rosamond Soong Ch’ing-ling became the first woman from China to serve as the Head of State, the ceremonial head of the PRC.
1980
China signed and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1981
Rosamond Soong Ch’ing-ling was given the special title of “Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China."
1984
Ma Yanhong, Zhou Jihong, Jujie Luan, Wu Xiaoxuan, Li Lingjuan, the women’s national gymnastic team, the women’s national basketball team, the women’s national handball team, and the women’s national volleyball team became the first women from China to win Olympic medals. In the same year, six athletes became the first women to represent China in the Paralympics, and Ping Yali, Zhao Jihong, and Wang Shuyunn became the first women from China to win Paralympic medals.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
2
-
1
-
0
-
0
-
131
-
389
-
510
-
594
-
229
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
20
-
21
-
261
-
283
-
133
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1936
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
1988
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Li Lingjuan: 1984, Archery (Silver) Ma Yanhong: 1984, Uneven Bars (Gold) Women’s National Gymnastics Team: 1984 (Gold) Women’s National Basketball Team: 1984 (Bronze) Women’s National Handball Team: 1984 (Bronze) Women’s National Volleyball Team: 1984 (Gold) Zhou Jihong: 1984, Diving (Gold) Jujie Luan: 1984, Fencing (Gold) Wu Xiaoxuan: 1984, Shooting (Gold + Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1984
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
N/A
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Ping Yali: 1984, Long Jump (Gold), Athletics (Bronze) Zhao Jihong: 1984, Long Jump (Gold), High Jump (Silver), Athletics ( Bronze) Wang Shuyun: 1984, Javelin ( Silver), Table Tennis (Silver), Discus Throw (Bronze)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1986
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
The Chinese Football Association Women’s Super League had 10 different clubs in the 2021. The average club revenue is approximately 1.1 million dollars. 95% of first team players considered football as their primary source of income and 95% of first team player in the league received a monthly salary.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1976
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
Selected to host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Hosted International HeForShe Roller Derby Invitational in 2016.
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Republic of China Sports Federation
