Media Coverage of Women in China During the COVID-19 Crisis: Reflections on China’s Commitment Under CEDAW and The Beijing Platform for Action

Wenyang Wu

doi:10.52854/cchrr.45

Abstract

Under Article 5(a) of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, China is obligated to modify gender stereotypes in and through the media. It is also committed to achieve the objectives in the area of Women and the Media according to the Beijing Platform for Action. However, the media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China has exposed an existing lack of gender sensitivity and has sparked heated debate on gender equality. The debate, which largely plays out on social media, indicates a need for further reflections on how to raise gender sensitivity and achieve further gender equality in the Chinese media in line with international human rights treaties and the global agenda for women’s empowerment. This paper takes stock of gender equality in the Chinese media through a case study of media reports during the COVID-19 pandemic; and argues that in order to fulfil its commitments and address the issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, China should work to further reduce gender stereotypes in the media through measures including gender-sensitivity training and monitoring.

Highlights

As COVID-19 continues its spread around the world, its impact on gender equality increasingly attracts attention
It is committed to achieve the objectives in the area of Women and the Media according to the Beijing Platform for Action
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global tragedy, but it serves as an opportunity for China to reflect on the gaps in the implementation of CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action

Summary

INTRODUCTION

As COVID-19 continues its spread around the world, its impact on gender equality increasingly attracts attention. 10 The Standing Committee of the Fifth National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Di Wu Jie Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui Changwu Weiyuanhui Guanyu Pizhun Lianheguo 《Xiaochu dui Funü Yiqie Xingshi Qishi Gongyue》de Jueding [Decision of the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People’s Congress on Ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of equality grew only in the decade after It was not until the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (hereafter the Beijing Conference) that women’s equality and the role of the media started to attract more attention from the Chinese government and academia. This article seeks to answer this question by taking the case study of several controversial Chinese news reports relating to women in the COVID-19 pandemic and examining the stereotypical images of women portrayed therein It commences with an analysis on China’s commitments under CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action to remove gender stereotypes in and through media. Hu Zhengrong (ed.) Chuanboxue Gailun [Introduction to Communication Studies] (1st edn, Higher Education Press 2017) 171-198. 29Antony Mayfield, What is Social Media? (ebook from iCrossing 2008) 5 accessed 10 October 2020. 30 The CEDAW Committee, CEDAW/C/BGR/CO/8, 5; CEDAW/C/AND/CO/4, 6

CHINA’S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

COMMITMENTS UNDER THE BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION

Findings

CONCLUSION