Artikkelit

19.02.2025

Women and Girls in Science in China: Challenges and Progress

Women in science in China continue to face barriers such as funding gaps, discrimination, and societal expectations. While progress is being made through policy changes and shifting attitudes, women remain underrepresented in leadership and high-level research roles. This newsletter explores the statistics behind women’s underrepresentation in Chinese science and highlights positive changes in policies and attitudes.

The Current Landscape: Barriers and Emerging Change

Women in China have made remarkable contributions to science. Tu Youyou discovered artemisinin, which had a global impact on malaria treatment and earned her the Nobel Prize in 2015. She was the first female citizen of the People’s Republic of China to receive a Nobel Prize in any category—despite not having formal education or access to well-equipped laboratories. Her parents encouraged her to learn as much as possible, highlighting the role of supportive parents and teachers in fostering young girls’ interest in science.

What does the landscape look like today? Like many other countries, China faces gender inequality in science. Women struggle with a lack of funding, direct and indirect discrimination, and societal attitudes that discourage them from pursuing scientific careers. When girls are not encouraged to study STEM subjects in school, fewer women choose to follow scientific career paths. This newsletter explores the statistics behind women’s underrepresentation in Chinese science and highlights positive changes in policies and attitudes.

Statistics and Reasons beyond Inequality

According to data from December 2019, women made up only 6% of the academicians in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and 5% in the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). Women researchers also received only 10% of funding at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In total, fewer than 100 of the 1,750 academicians in both of these institutions were women. While this ratio is improving, progress remains slow. Many women scientists work in lower-level positions, handling basic or supportive tasks, with limited opportunities for promotion.

The underrepresentation of women extends beyond CAS and CAE. In 2015, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) reported that women comprised 21% of members in academic societies but only 13% of council members and just 8% of presidents and vice presidents.

Women scientists have fewer opportunities compared to their equally qualified male counterparts. One of the main reasons is structural barriers. Women often carry the responsibility for childcare and elderly care. Since there is no comprehensive system for parental leave, women take on the majority of caregiving duties. China lacks central-level paternity leave regulations, and while some provinces offer up to 30 days of paternity leave, more needs to be done to balance family responsibilities.

Additionally, women perform much of the unpaid “meta-work” at home—organizational and emotional labor that requires mental and physical energy. A systemic change in workplace policies and societal attitudes is needed to address this issue.

To close the gender gap in science, deep-seated stereotypes and biases must be challenged. Women remain underrepresented in STEM leadership and are less likely to be hired, even when equally qualified. According to Nature, 32% of Chinese women scientists reported that their first job search was hindered by employers who only sought male candidates. Gender quotas at all levels could help prevent discriminatory hiring practices. Schools, businesses, and families must also foster a supportive environment that encourages girls to pursue STEM fields.

Removing structural barriers is equally important. Female researchers receive less funding and fewer opportunities, leading many to leave the field earlier than men. Globally, over one-third of women leave full-time STEM careers after having their first child. In China, many women would return to work if sufficient childcare support were available. Along with recruiting more women into STEM, institutions must create an inclusive environment to retain them. Research institutions, employers, and governments need to expand family-friendly policies, such as improved childcare services, paternity leave, and flexible work arrangements.

Although the One-Child Policy had many negative consequences, one small positive effect was that many families raised daughters with the same expectations as sons, reducing traditional gender biases in some households.

Shaping a More Inclusive Future

China has taken steps toward gender equality in science. In 2021, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), along with the All-China Women’s Federation and 11 other departments, launched the Measures on Supporting Female Talents in Playing a More Prominent Role in Science and Technology to promote female participation nationwide.
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has also introduced changes:

•    The age limit for female applicants has been extended: for the Young Scientists Fund, the upper limit is 35 for men and 40 for women; for the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, it's 38 for men and 40 for women.
•    Women are given priority when qualifications are equal.

While these are positive steps, further policies are needed, such as reducing family burdens and ensuring greater female representation in leadership positions and academic conferences. Systemic change is essential—not only in the scientific field but across society. Small steps taken within science contribute to broader gender equality.
Education is key: how we raise and educate both girls and boys matters. Girls are often perceived as shy or hesitant, but this is largely due to how they are socialized. Changing these gender norms will help foster confidence in girls from an early age.
The future is in our hands, and we are already seeing signs of progress. While much remains to be done, a more inclusive and diverse scientific community is within reach. It is crucial to create a supportive environment for the next generation of women scientists—both in China and globally.

Text by: Veera Purontakanen
Photo by Sarah Zhang: The Embassy of Finland in Beijing hosted an event on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11.2.2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event was part of a series of global dialogues dedicated to women in science by the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) network. Guest speakers at the event highlighted the importance of networking, uplifting fellow women, and advocating for systemic change to drive progress in the field of women in science.