ABSTRACT
China has experienced more than two thousand years of feudal society. However, it established a new system of government in 1949 and began economic reform in 1979. Chinese women, who were the foot binding women, now take part in all aspects of social activities. To some extent these changes in women’s roles are a result from the special protection of women’s rights since 1949. The legislature of China has issued a series of laws designed to protect women’s rights and interests. They are the Law of Protecting Women’s Rights and Interests, which is based on the Constitution, the Marriage Law, the Inheritance Law, the Law of Protection of Women’s and Infants’ Health, and the Regulation of Protection of Female Workers. The Marriage Law played a key role in the protection of women’s rights, so it came to be known as ‘a women’s law’. However, after 30 years of legal practice, the law could not meet the demands of society.
