China's birth-friendly initiative supports women's 'full lifecycle'

As China marks International Women's Day on Sunday, lawmakers are advocating a shift from simply preventing rights infringements to actively supporting women's "full lifecycle" needs — from reproductive health to career development.

Their message is clear: Building a birth-friendly society is not about asking women to choose between family and work. It is about creating conditions where they no longer have to.

The shift reflects growing recognition that encouraging women to have more children requires more than financial incentives. It demands structural support spanning reproductive health, child care, workplace protections and career development, according to interviews with female deputies attending this year's two sessions — the annual meetings of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

"The focus has moved from simple rights protection to covering women's full life cycle," said Hu Chunlian, an NPC deputy from the Hunan delegation. "This is a natural progression of social development, as well as a response to our demographic challenges."

Hu is among those calling for women's reproductive health to be integrated into the public health service system, with conditions such as ovarian dysfunction and adenomyosis managed "the same way we manage chronic diseases".

The shift aligns with the national drive to build a "birth-friendly society", a policy priority as China faces an aging population and declining birth rates.

Authorities reported that 7.92 million babies were born last year, down from 9.54 million the previous year. That contributes to a population decline of 3.39 million.

Some lawmakers attribute the declining birthrate in part to women's growing presence in the workforce — a sign of social progress, they say.

NPC deputy Dai Yin said the alignment of women's rights advocacy with pro-fertility policies marks a new phase in the protection of women's rights — one in which women no longer have to choose between career and family.

"These reforms help ensure women are not cut off from society or the workplace when they give birth," she said, pointing to a red flower pinned to her jacket embroidered with the words "Labor is the Most Glorious".

"Only by participating in labor can women gain equal rights," she added. "A birth-friendly society supports women who make this dual contribution — to both the workforce and the next generation."

Lawmakers said the national initiative also addresses a long-standing challenge: the disproportionate burden of child care on women.

Huang Qinmei, an NPC deputy from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region delegation, said her previous advocacy for child-rearing subsidies and improved child care systems was incorporated into the national child care subsidy scheme rolled out last year.

"Women go through a long perinatal period," Huang said. "We need flexible work and study mechanisms so they don't have to choose between family and career. If women are disconnected from society for too long, it harms their personal development."

Hu cited the example of a father who, after witnessing his wife's difficult pregnancy and delivery, became actively involved in child care — changing diapers, preparing formula and soothing the baby.

She proposed establishing paid paternity leave of one to two months to encourage fathers to share caregiving responsibilities and ease pressure on mothers.

Some lawmakers have also pushed back against the idea that building a birth-friendly society means pressuring women to have more children.

"If we build a truly birth-friendly society, we realize that having children is not a minus for women — it's a plus," Dai said, referring to the outdated notion that pregnancy among professional women disrupts work schedules. "While fulfilling their work and social responsibilities, they also contribute more to society. They contribute to the next generation."

NPC Deputy Chen Jieying stressed the importance of supporting women's mental and physical health, noting that many female professionals face intense pressure and high expectations. "We need to care for their well-being, create positive environments, and let them work happily and grow healthily," she said.