Media Coverage of Women in China During the COVID-19 Crisis: Reflections on China’s Commitment Under CEDAW and The Beijing Platform for Action

Abstract

Under Article 5(a) of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, China is obligated to modify gender stereotypes in and through the media. It is also committed to achieve the objectives in the area of Women and the Media according to the Beijing Platform for Action. However, the media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China has exposed an existing lack of gender sensitivity and has sparked heated debate on gender equality. The debate, which largely plays out on social media, indicates a need for further reflections on how to raise gender sensitivity and achieve further gender equality in the Chinese media in line with international human rights treaties and the global agenda for women’s empowerment. This paper takes stock of gender equality in the Chinese media through a case study of media reports during the COVID-19 pandemic; and argues that in order to fulfil its commitments and address the issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, China should work to further reduce gender stereotypes in the media through measures including gender-sensitivity training and monitoring.