Report on Gender Equality (SDG 5) in China: Official Statements vs. On-the-Ground Realities

Official Position and Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

At a global women’s summit in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined the nation’s progress in advancing women’s rights, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The official statements highlighted the following achievements:

• Progress on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): A reported drop in maternal mortality rates of nearly 80% over the past 30 years, directly contributing to Target 3.1.
• Advancement of SDG 5 (Gender Equality): An assertion that women are participating in national governance with “unprecedented confidence and vigour,” addressing Target 5.5 concerning women’s participation in public life.
• Commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Pledges of financial support for global gender equality initiatives, including:
  • A $10 million donation to UN Women.
  • A $100 million fund for developing countries in the global south.

Challenges to Achieving SDG 5: Gender Equality

Despite the official narrative of a “glorious chapter of women’s progress,” reports from activists indicate significant obstacles to the full realization of SDG 5. The environment for feminist advocacy has become increasingly challenging.

• Feminist activities beyond personal life choices, such as public discussion, policy advocacy, and collective action, are described as “severely limited.”
• The 2015 detention of several activists, known as the “Feminist Five,” after a protest against sexual harassment on public transport, is cited as a key example of the constraints on public advocacy.

Contradictions in Policy and Political Representation

Certain government policies and political realities present contradictions to the stated commitments towards gender equality.

1. Lack of Political Representation (SDG 5.5): The 2022 politburo, the executive body of the Chinese Communist party, included no women for the first time since 1997, representing a significant regression in women’s participation in top-level political decision-making.
2. Promotion of Traditional Gender Roles: The government routinely encourages women to fulfill traditional responsibilities of marriage and child-bearing to address the country’s falling birthrate. In 2023, President Xi called to “cultivate a new marriage and child-bearing culture,” a policy that may conflict with the empowerment objectives of SDG 5.

Suppression of Public Discourse and Fundamental Freedoms (SDG 16)

The ability to advocate for women’s rights has been further curtailed by a crackdown on public discourse, impacting fundamental freedoms outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly Target 16.10 regarding public access to information.

• Censorship of Online Voices: Independent bloggers and commentators focusing on women’s issues face increasing pressure.
  • The WeChat account of feminist blogger Jiang Chan was deleted.
  • Over 1,300 accounts on the Weibo social media platform were banned for inciting “gender antagonism.”
  • Weibo launched a dedicated complaints category for reporting content that “promotes gender antagonism.”
• Targeting of Influential Figures: Vlogger Wang Huiling, known for her videos on women’s independence, had all her social media accounts, with a combined following of over 6 million, deleted without explanation. Her 2021 memoir, Grassroots Women, was subsequently banned from being reprinted.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its discussion of women’s rights, health, political participation, and freedom of expression in China. The primary SDGs identified are:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is directly mentioned in the context of maternal health improvements.
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality: This is the central theme of the article, covering women’s rights, political participation, feminist activism, and societal roles.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is relevant due to the discussion on the crackdown on civil society, the detention of activists, and the suppression of freedom of expression for feminists.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This is addressed through the mention of China’s financial contributions to global gender equality initiatives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Under SDG 3:
     • Target 3.1: “By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.” The article explicitly mentions President Xi’s statement that “maternal mortality rates had dropped by nearly 80%” in China over the past 30 years, directly referencing progress related to this target.
   • Under SDG 5:
     • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” The article highlights a contradiction here. While Xi claims women participate in national governance with “unprecedented confidence and vigour,” it also notes that in 2022, the new politburo “for the first time since 1997 included no women,” indicating a lack of progress or even a regression in this area.
     • Target 5.c: “Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.” The article suggests a weakening of the environment for such policies, stating that “feminist activities beyond personal life are severely limited, including public discussion, let alone policy advocacy.” The crackdown on activists and bloggers who advocate for women’s rights runs counter to this target.
   • Under SDG 16:
     • Target 16.10: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.” The article provides multiple examples of this target not being met, including the detention of the “feminist five,” the forced closure of a feminist organization, the deletion of feminist bloggers’ social media accounts, and the banning of a memoir titled “Grassroots Women.”
     • Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The fact that the politburo “included no women” is a clear example of decision-making at the highest level not being inclusive or representative of the female population.
   • Under SDG 17:
     • Target 17.3: “Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.” The article mentions Xi’s announcement of a “$10m donation to UN Women” and a “$100m fund for global south countries,” which directly relates to mobilizing financial resources for global development goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • For Target 3.1:
     • The article explicitly provides a metric related to Indicator 3.1.1 (Maternal mortality ratio). President Xi’s statement that “maternal mortality rates had dropped by nearly 80%” is a direct reference to this indicator.
   • For Target 5.5:
     • The article provides data relevant to Indicator 5.5.1 (Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments). The specific mention that the 2022 politburo “included no women” serves as a stark, high-level indicator of women’s representation in political decision-making bodies.
   • For Target 16.10:
     • The article implies metrics related to Indicator 16.10.1 (Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights defenders). The detention of the “feminist five” is a specific case that would be counted under this indicator. Furthermore, the deletion of over 1,300 social media accounts and the banning of a book are tangible measures of the suppression of fundamental freedoms.
   • For Target 17.3:
     • The article provides a direct measure for Indicator 17.3.1 (Additional financial resources made available to developing countries from multiple sources) by stating the exact amounts pledged: a “$10m donation to UN Women” and a “$100m fund for global south countries.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio.	Indicator 3.1.1 (Maternal mortality ratio): Mentioned as having “dropped by nearly 80%” in China over 30 years.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.	Indicator 5.5.1 (Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments): Implied by the statement that the 2022 politburo “included no women.”
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.	Indicator 16.10.1 (Number of verified cases of… arbitrary detention… of human rights defenders): Evidenced by the detention of the “feminist five” and the deletion of social media accounts of feminist bloggers.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.	Indicator 17.3.1 (Additional financial resources made available to developing countries): Evidenced by the “$10m donation to UN Women” and a “$100m fund for global south countries.”

Source: theguardian.com