Women’s Day China
Women’s Right to Vote in China
October 1, (1949)

Number of female heads of state to date: 2

The women’s right to vote in China has a complex history that has evolved over time. The People’s Republic of China, established in 1949, has made significant strides in women’s rights, including political participation.

In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, efforts were made to promote gender equality and women’s participation in political life. The 1954 Constitution of the People’s Republic of China officially granted women equal political rights, including the right to vote and stand for election.

However, it is important to note that the political system in China is different from many Western democracies. The Communist Party of China (CPC) holds a dominant role in the country’s political structure, and the selection of political leaders occurs through a multi-stage process that involves the Party and government institutions.

China has a one-party system, and elections are held at various levels, including for the National People’s Congress (NPC) and local people’s congresses. While citizens have the right to vote and participate in these elections, the selection of candidates is often determined through a process led by the Communist Party.

Women’s political representation in China has seen improvement over the years. The government has made efforts to promote women’s participation and increase their representation in political and decision-making positions. Various policies have been implemented to encourage women’s involvement, such as quotas and guidelines to ensure a certain level of female representation in Party and government institutions.

Today, there are women holding important positions in China’s political system, including members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the highest decision-making body in the Communist Party. However, it is worth noting that despite advancements, women’s representation in top leadership positions remains relatively low, and gender disparities persist in certain areas of politics and governance.

China continues to work toward achieving gender equality and promoting women’s rights, including their political participation. Efforts are underway to address barriers and encourage greater representation of women in political decision-making processes.

It is important to consider the broader political context and structures when discussing women’s political rights in China. The emphasis on collective decision-making and party-led processes shapes the nature of political participation in the country. While women have the right to vote and participate in political processes, the specific dynamics of China’s political system influence the extent of their influence and representation.


UN Women

Constitution of the People’s Republic of China 1982, as amended to 2018
> constitutions.unwomen.org/china

The Chinese Revolution of 1949

On October 1, 1949, Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The announcement ended the costly full-scale civil war between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), which broke out immediately following World War II and had been preceded by on and off conflict between the two sides since the 1920’s. The creation of the PRC also completed the long process of governmental upheaval in China begun by the Chinese Revolution of 1911. The “fall” of mainland China to communism in 1949 led the United States to suspend diplomatic ties with the PRC for decades.
history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/chinese-rev


The Communist Party invented Women’s Day—so why is China so bad at it now?

While International Women’s Day has been embraced by multinational companies and governments around the globe, the holiday’s roots lie in grassroots demonstrations for better pay and working conditions, and particularly a feminist-led protest started on March 8 in Russia in 1917.
After Russian Communist Party founder Vladimir Lenin declared March 8 “Woman’s Day” in 1922, the holiday was adopted by Communist China in 1949 and “celebrated primarily in socialist countries until the mid-1970s,” according to a University of Chicago history. This year’s global theme was a “pledge for parity,” which imagines that at some point in the foreseeable future, men and women will enjoy equal rights, and equal salaries.
qz.com/634671/the-communist-party-invented-womens-day-so-why-is-china-so-bad-at-it-now/


> National Women’s Days