Trafficking of women for marriage in China

Abstract

Trafficking of women for marriage is recognized as a modern-day slave trade, although it has a long history in China. The reasons for its resurgence in China include, but are not limited to, patriarchal values, state-tolerated sex discrimination, vulnerability of women and the transformation of socio-economic situations. Accordingly, the task of eradicating the trafficking in women involves combating feudal and patriarchal assumptions about male dominance and male supremacy; building up the confidence and dignity of the gender of female; systematic governmental and international support of issues of importance to women; restructuring legal systems where they are still imperfect; adjusting economic systems so that women are never exploited economically; strengthening fundamental and higher education of women; regulating objectifying and pornographic media images of women; and developing ways in which men and women can relate without either dependency or dominance. The author examines and evaluates both the strengths and weaknesses of the current criminal justice policy of the Chinese government against trafficking practices. She then argues that the existing policy against trafficking is insufficient and ineffective and needs to be reformed in a number of aspects as suggested. In this article, the author takes a multi-disciplinary approach, including historical, cultural, economic, ideological, sociological and legal study.