As reported on BBC, the China Mining and Technology University in China’s eastern Jiangsu province does not accept women to its “green card major” courses. One of the reasons is that women “would not be able to escape the mine as quickly in an emergency”.
“China’s labour law suggests mining work is unsuitable for women, so we ask women to refrain from applying to our major,” explains one of the department’s senior professors, Shu Jisen.
“Some jobs are really inappropriate for women,” Prof Shu argues.
“If they force their way into these jobs, they will waste energy that can be better used elsewhere.”
This university is not alone. Out of respect for women’s safety, it says, China’s education ministry bans girls from studying a variety of subjects across China, from tunnel engineering to navigation.