Women Find Their Voices in China

Chinese Activists

By Nicole Schmitt

Recent events in Central America have highlighted the dangerous world of environmental activists. As civil society shrinks across the globe, activists have less room to operate in.  But, even as female environmental activists are increasingly victimized, women in China are not backing down. In fact, they are expanding their role in civil society.

Throughout China women are creating a “conservation culture.” Pollution, poor air quality, and the changing environment effect women more than men. For example, most farmers in China are women. As crops are harder to grow, these women lose their livelihood. Women are also plagued by infertility, spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, and birth defects as environmental degradation increases.

But, as women are creating coalitions across civil society the Chinese government is cracking down. In just over a year, over 200 activists and lawyers have been interrogated for crimes against the state for protesting sexual harassment on public transportation to providing women legal aid.

While gender may be tied to an increasingly criminalized civil society space in China, funding for gender and environment projects aligns with many of China’s national directives to expand gender equality in the country, and furthers the nation’s efforts in their “war on pollution”. In fact, the most recent draft of China’s debated Charity Law specifically enables charitable organizations to continue work in environmental protection as an activity “consistent with societal public interest.”

Mao Zedong declared, “Women hold half the sky.” We must continue to support the work of women around the world and amplify their voices. Indeed, without women, the sky will surely fall.

Download Climate Justice and Women’s Rights: A Guide to Supporting Grassroots Women’s Action. And join the conversation by tweeting with us at #WomenAndClimate.

Photo Credit: Luk Kit-ling

Global Greengrants Fund

Global Greengrants Fund believes solutions to environmental harm and social injustice come from people whose lives are most impacted. Every day, our global network of people on the frontlines and donors comes together to support communities to protect their ways of life and our planet. Because when local people have a say in the health of their food, water, and resources, they are forces for change.

Privacy notice: our site uses cookies for analytics, tracking, and site improvement purposes. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy.

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close