mao

FounDations

of gender equality

Under Mao Zedong ?

A paper that discusses Mao’s legacy under the terms of gender equality linked with social development and state-policy.

Plan :

Were the measures introduced by the party intended to plant the seeds of gender equality, or simply to consolidate a regime with a strictly disinterested desire to raise the social status of women? A NUANCED THESIS: While Mao wanted to consolidate a communist nation on the basis of increasing the social, cultural, and economic role of women, in both RURAL and URBAN areas, this initiative contributed to slowly eroding gender inequalities.

I) CLASH OF THEORETICAL PARADIGMS: THE CONFUCIAN PERSPECTIVE AND THE RESURGENCE OF COMMUNIST IDEOLOGY BEFORE THE CHINESE REVOLUTION II) BETWEEN SYMBOLIC EMANCIPATION AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES: THE MARRIAGE LAW OF MAY 1st, 1950, AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY III) THE EMERGENCE OF IRON GIRLS AS A NEW IDEALIZED GROUP: A SYMBOL OF SHIFTING GENDER NORMS IV) LEGACY OF MAO AND GENDER EQUALITY: THE AMBIGUITIES OF THE NOTION AND FURTHER CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

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Findings :

• Women experienced increased influence within Mao's nation-building efforts.
• Mao's statement aimed to mobilize women's participation in the workforce during the Chinese Revolution.

BUT :

• Despite gaining new opportunities and rights, women still faced discrimination and confinement to secondary roles.
• Mao's statement should NOT be seen as a complete reflection of his views or treatment of women.
• Understanding Mao's stance requires considering historical context along with other statements & actions.

Although "Women hold up half the sky" may have been a progressive statement in its time, it should not be regarded as a comprehensive reflection of Mao's overall views on women or his treatment of them.

What about Nowadays ?

According to the figures of the United Nations, women and girls aged 15+ spend 15.3% of their time on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to 5.4% spent by men in China. There is still a difference in some key labour market indicators: such as the unemployment rate and the gender pay gap, information and communication technology skills, and the presence of women in local government.

E-poster - ALICE JUIGNIER 1155210283 CHES 3003 - Chinas Under Mao

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