Two-child policy reform changes the lives of Chinese women

NPC-CPPCC

China’s two-child policy came into effect this year. But for many Chinese women, raising more than one child will require more effort in caring for their families, which in turn, may add more difficulties to their career development.

CCTV’s Wang Hui reports.

Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg is a mother of two. She wrote the book “Lean In” where she discussed how she and other career women balance work and family life.

Today, as China implements its Two-Child Policy, more and more Chinese women face the same challenge. We spoke with participants at the All-China Women’s Federation Reception — here are some of their thoughts:

It’s not easy. I need to take care of children and family, but work at the same time. The mentality is important. It’s a challenge for the Chinese women. But Chinese women can face it. They are tough and courageous.

Managing career and family life balance is not the only challenge for most Chinese women now. When they choose to bear a second child, they will need longer maternity leave, and possibly more time to spend with their family.

Because of this, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said women are likely to face employment difficulties and workplace prejudices.

This is a situation that happens not only in China, but also in other countries as well, as an Australian journalist told us.

For the Committee of the Care of the Next Generation, an NGO focusing on children’s rights, society can provide a support network for women, but the government should act too.

During this year’s “Two Sessions,” the director of the National Health and Family Planning Commission has addressed women’s plights, and said the government will build more breastfeeding centers and other medical facilities for pregnant women.

These measures are expected to ease the effects of the Two Child Policy on women.


Sociology professor Baozhen Luo on China’s two-child policy

CCTV America’s Michelle Makori interviewed Baozhen Luo, an associate professor at Western Washington University about China’s two-child Policy.