In most places in China, a husband is referred to as "Dangjiade"-the one who is responsible for household affairs. But in Suzhou, "the gray mare is the better horse"-there women have a tradition of managing household matters. In Suzhou, a husband refers to his wife as "Jiazhupo"-the one who manages household affairs -instead of "Laopo,as in other parts of the country. Many of the women are housewives but they also work outside the home. They have financial power, thus hold a dominant position in their families.
In the new economic structure, featured by export-oriented and high-tech enterprises, young women with good educational backgrounds play important roles in just about every field. The employment rate of women is 45.38 percent, ranking first in Jian
gsu Province indicate Suzhou Women's Federation figures.
During the past several years, Suzhou has witnessed a strong momentum in its economic development. During the process of the modern transfer, Suzhou women are neither "old liners" nor simply observers and they play an important role in the city's economic construction, restructuring and accomplishment. A survey by Suzhou Women's Federation showed that females comprise nearly 60 percent of the total number of employees in their industrial development park, and many enterprises now favor women when recruiting personnel.
On what was a cow field not long ago In Suzhou Singapore Industrial Park (SSIP), young women in white gloves and jackets snap together pieces of plastic with a pop that announces the completion of a computer mouse. Women represent 59 percent of the total labor force and, at management level, the rate is about the same. The success of the SSIP has prompted its management to ask for another 70 square kilometers of land for development, which would double the area and offer more chances for women to find a job and contribute to the development of the "Venice of China.”
