China: Legal Gender Recognition in China—A Legal and Policy Review

This report, Legal Gender Recognition in China: A Legal and Policy Review, provides an important resource for the inclusion of transgender people in Chinese laws and policies. The report provides specific recommendations and suggested actions that will promote legal gender recognition and inclusion for transgender people and, if adopted, will facilitate an enabling environment for transgender people to access education, employment, health and other public services. The report also highlights transgender community efforts and initiatives that could serve as new platforms for asserting transgender inclusion and those which could open the doors for more enhanced collaboration among the various sectors.

The Legal Gender Recognition in China: A Legal and Policy Review is part of a multi-country initiative, jointly implemented by UNDP and the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), which undertook a comprehensive review of existing laws, policies and practices related to legal gender recognition for transgender people in Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. Read more via UNDP


Foreword - Agi Veres, Country Director UNDP China

Transgender people in China confront significant challenges. They lack legal recognition and protection, which makes them both vulnerable and marginalized. Social stigma and discrimination are a common feature of many schools and universities, businesses and public offices.

This report, Legal Gender Recognition in China: A Legal and Policy Review, provides an important foundation for the inclusion of transgender people in Chinese laws and policies. The report provides specific recommendations and suggested actions that will promote legal gender recognition and inclusion for transgender people and, if adopted, will facilitate an enabling environment for transgender people to access education, employment, health and other public services. The report also highlights transgender community efforts and initiatives that could serve as new platforms for asserting transgender inclusion and those which could open the doors for more enhanced collaboration among the various sectors.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for an integrated approach, and reducing gender inequalities and empowering vulnerable groups is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am confident that this review will contribute to the important endeavour of meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups such as LGBTI people, ensuring that they can be equal members of the society, and are protected and free from any forms of violence and discrimination. In doing so, China will deliver on its commitment to “leave no one behind” by 2030.

Access the full report here