'BIRTH-FRIENDLY' JOBS BOOST OPTIONS FOR WORKING MOTHERS

As nation addresses aging population, forward-looking policies are helping women continue careers

When Meng Lei became pregnant within six months of starting work at one of China's biggest online reading apps in 2020, she worried she might have to voluntarily resign like many women in a similar predicament have done in the past.

But her supervisors at Fanshu App were more concerned Meng had considered quitting her job because she was pregnant.

"I still remember their words," said Meng, now 37 and thriving in her role as the director of Fanshu's psychology institute. "They said if our company, which aims to promote reading and kindness, has no place for a pregnant woman, we are already done. You can just settle down and work here in peace," Meng recalled them telling her.