Her space, her rules

Women-only businesses in China are empowering women by creating supportive spaces that challenge traditional norms and foster community, Meng Wenjie reports.

In a bar in Beijing's Haidian district, a group of women gather to discuss the newly released Chinese feminist film Her Story. This bar, called Second, is a women-only space, with women not only as patrons but also as founders and bartenders.

Meng Qingdi, 30, one of the bar's founders, explained that women often feel uncomfortable due to unwanted attention in traditional bars. An all-women bar, however, creates a safer, more relaxed environment, allowing female patrons to truly unwind.

"I want this place to feel like a second home for our customers, where they can relax as they would at home," Meng said, explaining the inspiration behind the bar's name.