Here's what you said are the challenges facing women in Shanghai

In January, we asked readers to anonymously share their thoughts and feelings about life in Shanghai for the Women's City Living Survey. We didn't mention it then, but the results of the survey are going to be a part of our upcoming issue on women in Shanghai, due to hit the streets in early March.

We asked a series of open-ended questions in the survey, and below have featured a selection of your responses to one of the heaviest hitters: What do you feel is the biggest challenge to being a woman in Shanghai?

The following responses have been edited for spelling, grammar and clarity. We've roughly categorised the responses into these groups: no particular challenges; health, safety and lifestyle; relationships; sexism or discrimination.

No particular challenges

'The challenges don’t come from gender. Things will work out as long as you are confident in yourself.'

'I don’t think there is a big challenge, we just have to take care of ourselves and be who we are. Despite all the criticising eyes and weird look and the stares, look back and smile, be confident!'

'I don’t think there is a difference between men and women, the challenges are all the same.'

'Except for being stared at all the time, which I've become used to, I can't think [of] anything worth mention.'

'Being a woman in Shanghai is pretty amazing [as] locals don't really look down on women like they would elsewhere. Woman are seen as strong and capable. My only challenge is as a mother because everyone wants to tell you their thoughts (good or bad) about your parenting skills.'

Health, safety and lifestyle

'Buying tampons. Seriously. I know you're probably expecting some snowflake-y, in-depth, la de da answer about the struggles of being a woman in Shanghai, but I've never found discrimination against me in any job I've done here or from people I've met. But buying tampons – difficult as f*ck. I still have to get them grey market from Taobao thanks to the ongoing taboo about using them.'

'Finding products that suit foreign women.'

'Facing fierce competition at work and ever-rising rents.'

'Balancing work and life.'

'There aren't many challenges as a woman here in Shanghai but life as a foreigner can be difficult especially if you aren't a size 0. This city isn't friendly to women that are curvy. You get told you are fat and can never find clothes that fit.'

Relationships

'While it’s easy to find a support system with all the great groups and resources available in Shanghai, it’s certainly hard when good friends and mentors leave the transient city.'

'[Making] genuine connections through making new friends, not associates through networking.'

'It's hard to find true love here as all the guys are mostly f*ckbois.'

'For a foreign woman it's very difficult to find a boyfriend here. Most men here prefer Chinese women.'

'Generally I feel dating is my biggest challenge so far, the quality of men is just very low (douchebags), the good ones are hard to find and/or married.'

'Finding a financially and mentally stable man.'

Sexism or discrimination

'Getting respect for my knowledge and my political opinion without being taken as a radical feminist or a lesbo.'

'When I am accompanied by my husband, questions and decision making is deferred to him.'

'As a business executive; it is very rare to be taken seriously in meetings and it is rare to meet other females in the finance industry in general. Regardless of sex, internet, the ability to connect with outside [China] has weakened a lot during past the year. Not being able communicate with family has really [made] me and my partner [consider] moving out.'

'Racism. As a black woman, I’ve experienced more racism and been more fetishised here than any other of the 32 countries I have traveled through. In Chinese society it seems that the women are expected to be meek and obedient regardless of their personal beliefs and opinions, especially in the workplace.'

'Sexism in career/workplace and society, men touching your ass on the subway, men assuming I'm Russian and therefore a prostitute (oh so much wrong with that) and propositioning me on nights out. Chinese men asking if I'm cold when I wear a sleeveless top...in Shanghai summer (inferring I'm underdressed/improperly dressed as a woman).'

The views and opinions expressed in the quotes above are the respondents' views and opinions, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of Time Out Shanghai.

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