Implication of Market Reforms on Women’s Employment and Life Opportunities

Many improvements in the labor markets over the last few decades have made it possible for women to hold leadership positions. The majority of the measures aim to lessen the predominance of men in managerial positions in both public and private employment. Significant progress has been made, notably in western nations, where the number of positions reserved for women has increased (Ro & Choi 2009, p. 15). The most important achievement so far realised across the world includes equal employment opportunity that allows individuals to serve in any position irrespective of the gender or sex (Wu & Guangye 2014, p. 819). However, arriving at this reform took an extended period because of high resistance from male-dominated countries. In developing countries such as, the policy of equal employment opportunity is only put on the blueprint but is not practised by employers (Nawaz 2013, p.157). Most of these countries are more tribal and accords high priority on individuals’ political affiliations and other personal relationships that are currently unacceptable (Zhang 2011, p. 64). Today, education has unlocked the potential for many people which have ultimately heightened the level of competition in the labour markets (Tiefenbrun 2017). Access to educational opportunities by people irrespective of the sex has significantly helped women to explore their potential and favourably compete in any position in the labour market (Hanglberger & Merz 2015, p. 290). The rise of powerful labour unions and activists in the 21st century has further played a critical role in advocating for women. Again, employers no longer base on one aspect but rather use multiple parameters to rate potential workers who can be of more value to organisational success (Zhang et al. 2008, p. 228). Besides, market reforms have an immense impact on women employment and life opportunities in China and other countries in the world (Xie &Xiang 2014, p. 6933). Therefore, this paper explicitly describes some of the reforms and how they affect women in China in the employment arena and life opportunities.

Implication of Market Reforms on Women’s Employment and Life Opportunities

Since before or after the development of the China Republic in 1949, a large number of the Chinese women have been discriminated despite Mao Zedong emphasis on equality during the change period from 1949-1976. During this period, Mao Zedong encouraged women to work in different areas with fear of intimidation or negative societal perception which failed to recognise their plight in fostering economic growth and development (Zhang et al. 2008, pp. 226). One of the critical market reforms performed during this era involved legalisation of foreign joint venture which apparently opened opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs and professionals (Wu & Guangye 2014, p. 823). Undeniably, entrepreneurship is the backbone of China's economy as it offers employment opportunities to a significant number of people across the country and the globe as well (Cisse 2013, p.59). Entrepreneurship stimulates economic development through commerce whereby, producers increase the level of production because of the ready markets (Xie &Xiang 2014, p. 6928). Importantly, opening China economy for joint ventures allowed women to start operating small businesses that indeed change the negative perception of their role. Some of the companies opened by women flourished and created employment opportunities for others to work as marketers, distributors, and others (Currier 2007, p. 63). Consequently, many women got the chance to learn different roles, and this could increase their confidence in management roles (Tiefenbrun 2017). Also, liberalisation acted as the eye-opener for women to pursue more opportunities brought about by economic reforms. Success in entrepreneurial activities influenced the formation of trade unions which primarily focused on protecting and championing for women rights to withstand unending oppression and discrimination related to employment opportunities.

Moreover, opening China for joint venture led to professionalism which is inherently achieved through work experience as well as exposure to educational opportunities (Hanglberger & Merz 2015, 288). Now that women were bosses of their own, whereby they operated small businesses and this required some form of professionalism particularly when dealing with customers and enhancing compliance with legal imperatives (Pitt et al. 2010, p. 31). Ultimately, women realized the need of enrolling for management courses in the learning institution to help them uncover more potential and capabilities, improve administrative skills, and further familiarise with professionalism and ethical principles in dealing with clients.

China’s financial and market reforms aimed at opening its economy to foreign investors brings about myriad benefits and opportunities to women. China is presently committed to moving from high speed to high-quality growth which is anticipated to stimulate economic growth and development (Currier 2007, p. 62). China’s market-oriented reforms focuses at stabilising foreign exchange rates has fundamentally helped financial institutions to support women through provision of loans and allowing creation of job opportunities due to increased foreign investments (Tiefenbrun 2017). Equally, this initiative has enabled the market forces to play a decisive role in enhancing allocation of resources. The government of China is doing all it can within its capabilities to open foreign investment doors wider, and further cleaning up practices that deter unified market, stimulate vitality of all types of market entities, and promote fair competition (Zhang et al. 2008, pp. 224). Also, the government of China has been committed at promoting, strengthening, expanding, and improving state capital towards deepening reforms of developing a mixed-ownership economy and cultivating establishment of globally competitive world-class companies (Jin & Jin 2015, p. 111).

It is beyond doubt that these initiatives have many impacts on women employment and life opportunities. First and foremost, opening the economy for foreign investors mainly multinationals will come along with best employment practices such as basing on individuals academic qualifications, experience, and intellectual skills during recruitment (Lee 2007, pp. 228). Apparently, consideration of these factors gives equal employment opportunities whereby the right candidate is offered the chance to work in the organisation. Most international companies strictly observe legal frameworks established by the government regarding job offers; therefore, opened economy has promoted the entry of many firms which hires accords high priority on equality during the recruitment process (Pitt et al. 2010, p. 29). Moreover, development of high political and financial institutions has increased the level of support accorded to female entrepreneurs (Cisse 2013, p.55). Flourishing of entrepreneurial activities is grounded on the degree of economic aid given by the banks and existing government policies influencing their operations (Lee 2007, 252). Most of the Chinese women have been assisted by the current regulations attributed to open market economy and close collaboration among the government, social, economic, financial, and other institutions operating in the country (Zhang 2011, p. 49). The market reforms enhanced competition leading to an increase in the production level in China, therefore, creating many job opportunities for women. The increased state of technology allowed the investing and pursued in knowledge-based and innovation capital. The market reforms were a boost to the productivity since it raised its ability to allocate capital to the fast-growing sectors of the economy (Bartik, 2002). The presence of market competition in the market competition was a great source of employment because it led to the formation of newer companies and expanded the existing ones; this meant that women had more job opportunities. The government’s initiative of launching new systems of public management and adoption of the measure to enhance integrity in the market led to an increase in efficiency and cost savings and improved attraction of the foreign investors this led to an increase in the number of women servicing in various positions.

The Chinese government initiative to create a more competitive labour market made women jobs more attractive; this meant that women could receive more wages for the services they offered. The Chinese government emphasized on an open and transparent economy, along with lifting the restrictions on the non-sensitive sectors of the economy (Qi and Prime, 2009). The reforms meant that more job opportunities were created for women because of the increased investments. The direct foreign investment augmented the domestic effort by creating more and better job opportunities for the economy. The foreign direct investment effect on the level of women employment in China was quantitative rather than being qualitative. The sub-sector, wage and productivity were some of the factors that influenced the employment levels among women.

The market reforms gave sufficient time for the market to materialise fully. The product market reforms acted as a labour market incentive thereby increasing the presence of viable businesses that could provide job opportunities for the citizens. After three decades since the initiation economic reforms, the country’s economy experienced one of the greatest economic booms (Carter and Estrin, 2001). Despite the state ownership of petroleum, telecommunication, state ownership in finance and other vital sectors of the economy continued to expand therefore creating more job opportunities for women. The rising cases of production because of the elimination of market barriers increased competition by increasing the number of entrants. The market reforms promoted an efficient allocation of resources by making firms easier to respond to the changing technology. The reforms lead to easier ways of responding to the changes in production or technology. The modern technology pushed women to acquire education to make them equipped with the current skills that were vital in filling up the new job vacancies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, China market and economic reforms have had a great impact on the role of women. Such developments, particularly through education, have opened more opportunities for the women to comprehend their rights and fights for more empowerment fully. By being allowed to access education has inherently helped them to seise potential opportunities as well as resist any form of discrimination in the workplace. China’s economic progress today is directly associated with high level of transparency and consistent pursuance of best practices in empowering the society and industry through support and provision of favourable environment. With the fact that and stability in the country is grounded on strong economic, political and social institutions, China’s increased empowerment of women has significantly contributed to success. Currently, China’s industrial base has allowed production of quality products which are sold to different markets across the world. Its high population provides cheap labour based on individuals competitiveness and qualifications thus bringing fair interplay of economic forces. Therefore, it is quite apparent that various economic reforms have had more positive impacts in enabling women to exploit their potential and fight against employment vices.







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