ALLCHINA WOMEN’S FEDERATION

Established in March 1949 as the All-China Democratic Women’s Federation, it was renamed Women’s Federation of the People’s Republic of China in 1957. The current name was first used in 1978. All-China Women’s Federation is a non-governmental organization (under CCP leadership) of women from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Its mission is to strive for women’s equal opportunities and to encourage them to participate in the nation’s economic and social development. It also teaches women to become self-respectful, self-confident, self-reliant and self-aspiring. It engages them in the process of decision-making in national affairs.

It also works to strengthen the unity of Chinese women from all circles and ethnic groups, from various regions and foreign soils for the purpose of China’s reunification and world peace.

The highest decision-making body of the federation is the National Women’s Congress, with branches at all levels throughout China, governed with the principle of democratic centralism: Women’s Committees in governmental departments and non-profit organizations, and Trade Union Women Workers’ Councils in factories and mines. Branches in cities usually take the city’s name, such as Beijing Women’s Federation and Shanghai Women’s Federation. On the one hand, branches report to the national federation, fulfilling its mission; on the other, they initiate activities and events befitting their local circumstances. Beijing Women’s Federation, for example, has organized ‘Women Establishing Themselves’, reading parties and training classes for unemployed women. Projects on research into women’s issues by the Shanghai branch are marked with that city’s characteristics.

Hsiung, Ping-chun, Jaschok, Maria and Milwertz, Cecilia (eds) (2002). Chinese Women Organizing. Oxford: Berg.

Judd, Ellen (2002). The Chinese Women’s Movement between State and Market. Stanford: Stanford University Press.