On China's Slow Boat to Women's Rights: Revisions to the Women's Protection Law, 2005

Abstract

The 2005 revisions to the Women's Protection Law represent the first major reform of the various social protection laws (shehui baozhang fa) that have been steadily introduced in China during the post-Mao period, and build on a number of changes introduced through a refurbishment of the Marriage Law in 2001. This paper examines the nature and significance of China's latest attempt to promote the position of women in Chinese society, and more specifically to discourage discrimination against women, by means of law. The revisions to the Law suggest a growing concern with problems of achieving equality between men and women, and with protecting women's rights and interests. However, while important reforms have been introduced by the revised Women's Protection Law, overall the statutory changes that have been put in place indicate that in reality only slow progress is being made.