Women: 1949-63

Question 1

CCP view of women

Answer 1

> Men and women were equal under the Communists.

Question 2

Marriage Reform Law

Answer 2

> 1950
Abolished male supremacy over women.
Banned concubinage and child marriage.
Women were allowed to divorce their husbands.
Men were not allowed to divorce women with a child younger than one.

Question 3

Maternity Provisions

Answer 3

> Creches were provided for children so that women could join the workforce.
Lessened their maternal duties.

Question 4

Literacy Drive

Answer 4

> Party Members taught villagers reading, writing and Communism.
Peasants going to market had to pass ‘literacy checkpoints’.
by 1960’s 90% of population was literate.
Standards of basic education improved, but Mao did not trust Universities or colleges.

Question 5

Destruction of the Family Unit

Answer 5

> Men and women slept in single sex barracks.
Families couldn’t eat or live together.
Intimate relationships took place in the fields, and if discovered the couple would be publicly shamed.