Book Discussion | Gender Discrimination at Work in Urban China | 18 April 2026

This book explores gender discrimination and women’s movements in China – from the May Fourth movement to the present day. It critically examines the dynamics of the personal and the political, or ‘home’ and ‘work’, and the role this discourse plays in women’s lived experiences. Focusing on women's 'work' within the contested field of gender power struggle, both in the politics and society in China, this book explores the evolving patterns of employment for women over the years. Women have continued to face new challenges at home and outside as the boundaries between the political and personal blurs. The book traces the birth of feminism in China and its intersection with Marxism, leading to the state-led women’s liberation movement, which influenced Chinese women in different ways. At the same time, it also engages with both theoretical and practical trajectories of the women's liberation movement, highlighting the impact of changing ideas on women and gender in contemporary China. Drawing on Chinese scholarly debates, the author interrogates contemporary Chinese discourse on gender-construction of women and, feminist thought in China. Dr. Chandran differentiates between “equality” and “difference” and locates the “paradox” of the same, to explore its impact on women’s work. Author: Dr. Usha Chandran Discussants: Dr. Hemant Adlakha Prof. Govind Kelkar Dr. Ritu Agarwal Prof. Patricia Uberoi Chair: Prof. Sabaree Mitra More details can be found here: https://icsin.org/activity/show/book-discussion-gender-discrimination-at-work-in-urban-china-the-paradox-of-equality-and-difference-in-the-womens-liberation-movement-18-april-2026-230-pm-ist.