Asia Insight: 12x14

The Struggle of Unwed Mothers: China

Under China’s One-Child Policy, maternity benefits had been confined only to married couples, excluding mothers of children born out of wedlock. In recent years, major cities have revised this policy to combat population decline, prompting more people to apply for the benefits. However, as preexisting social discrimination against unwed mothers still remains, many face an uphill battle in actually attaining these rights that should be due to all women.