The gender equality issue is getting greater public attention.

Mao Zedong once famously said, "Women hold up half of the sky." Women indeed account for half of China's1.3 billion population. Yet there are many  that question the need for a feminist crusade in China.

They have a point, to a certain extent. That Chinese women's political, economic and social status has risen since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 is indusputable. Women account for 45 percent of students at regular colleges and universities, and the enrolment rate for girls at grade schools is almost 100 percent. China's 40 or so million employed female urban dwellers account for 40 percent of the urban employment market, and women deputies to the National People's Congress exceed 20 percent.

Guo Ruixiang, China program specialist of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), however, declares, "The situation for Chinese women is not as rosy as it seems." She points out that gender inequality  is on the rise. As she says, "In the past men and women doing the same work received equal pay, but now women receive only 70 percent of what their male counterparts earn." There is also blatant gender discrimination on the job market, and a seriously high percentage of women are the victims of domestic violence.

Women's organizations in China work tirelessly to accomplish gender equality. Since its establishment in the early days of the People's Republic, the All-China Women's Federation has established branches across the country at  provincial to village levels in its endeavor to uphold the rights and interests of women. Non-governmental organizations, such as the Peking University Legal Assistance Center for Women and the Beijing Red Maple Women's Psychological Consultation Service Center, are also committed to safeguarding women's welfare. Their efforts have produced concrete results; Chinese women are becoming aware of their rights, and gender equality is becoming more widely advocated.

Chen Yaya, founder of Feminist.cn., is a main protagonist of the feminist crusade. Her website gives women the chance to  share and make known their personal experience of gender discrimination. Chen's hope is that Feminist.cn, along with other women's organizations, will successfully  disseminate and enhance gender equality awareness throughout all strata of Chinese society.