Enhancing the role of women in developing countries

The analysis takes place against the backdrop of Asian efforts in order to highlight special Chinese characteristics. Despite problems in transferring concepts between cultures and lacunae in data, observations about political and economic roles in Asia suggest (1) progress in developing political rights and roles for women are largely interlocked with the nationalist movement (and thence weakened as that movement itself splinters) and (2) new or improved economic skills and opportunities for women require a degree of economic development (though development is not sufficient to insure success.) Characteristics of the Chinese experience are (1) using state means to identify goals and develop a legal framework for equality (marriage laws), (2) development of peer group support for preferred conduct, and (3) development of skills and techniques for increased productivity along with the new innovative options in which to exercise those skills (part-time employment). This paper concludes with suggestions for short- and middle-range research efforts to detail and test the above recommendations.