During the 1950's many laws and organizations were founded in an effort to make women's status equal to men's. Communism was a girl's best friend and there was a campaign that "Women Hold up Half the Sky."  In the 1950's the marriage law banned bride sales, the selling of unwanted daughters and legalized divorce.  It also granted young people the right to choose their marriage partner.  The Chinese Constitution stated that men and women had equal rights in political, social, cultural and family life.  The Land Reform Law provided rural women with an equal share of land under their own name. 

The Economic Reform Policy of 1979 enabled women to maintain jobs while becoming mothers and raising families. During the Reform there was little competition, divided wealth and the population was fed and clothed.  This helped to expand contacts with the outside world and economic development slowed.

Women often have difficulty securing jobs because they aren't equipped to work in the workplace with men or handle heavy competition. Often established policies and regulations are ignored and women are paid less than men for the same amount of work or position.  Women only exceed the number of men in areas such as health, social service and performing arts.