Women of Bayuan, by Li Jiarun

These photos were taken in Bayuan, a small village in the Qianxinan Prefecture of Guizhou Province. These photos illustrate the daily lives of local women, including left-behind girls, widows, and housewives as well as their daily activities, intergenerational communication, and family relationships.

Colourful Senior Life, by Huang Chun

These photos capture older women's passion for life. Even older women of the same age have their own unique lifestyles, and this diversity enriches our experiences of ageing.

After the Exam, by Li Zhaoyu

This photo was taken after the college admission exam in Anxin County, Xiong'an New Area, Hebei Province. A candidate is spotted playing with her mother and niece after coming out of the school gate. The candidate's joy is caught after she was separated from her family for three months in school exam preparation. It displays three generations joyfully playing together. 

Mom's Shopping Cart, by Luo Feifei

My 48-year-old mother owns a restaurant. Her leisure activity has switched from daily dancing to internet shopping after a long day. She not only purchases essentials and favourite items online, but she also enjoys the experience of shopping.

Work for Life, by Zhao Jiale

These photos were taken in Guizhou Province, where most women never leave the mountains. Despite their worries about their families' income and living costs, these women are hardworking and persevering members of their families.

Grandmother, by Chen Huiyu

Grandma always gives without complaint to the family, and every day she completes her chores, because the elderly woman's world is so limited that this appears to be her only objective. I believe that the hand is a symbol, and wrinkled hands represent the passage of time, which is a confirmation of her survival. Her scars and fissures on her hands represent the hardships and challenges of life. My family is sustained by these hands, and everything they touch has meaning. The hands represent not only my grandmother but also the strength and beauty of women.

Stay with You, by Wang Naigong

Jiu'er, a young mother of three children, is depicted in these photographs questioning the meaning of life as she battles disease and approaches the end of her life. These images of Jiu'er document her life's path and the pain she experiences on a daily basis, which is difficult for others to understand.

Painting by Hand, by Feng Miao

This series of photographs shows women making handicrafts in a Miao village in Guizhou, China. The intention of this picture is to demonstrate how gender equality can help to promote development and eliminate poverty. It attempts to convey the spiritual strength of today's women and their need for equitable treatment.

Mother and Daughter in a Mountain Village, by Zhang Pengwei

The issue of ageing is a big challenge in today's world, and we must pay special attention to older women, especially those living in isolated rural areas. These women contributed to the creation of this culture when they were young, but they found it difficult to live in the city owing to a lack of education and knowledge. The majority of them eventually decided to return to their rural homes. Most of them are now suffering from poor health and a challenging economic situation, yet they do not complain about society and are optimistic about the future.

Women Farmers, by Han Xiangjun

These photograph were taken in Huangcun County, Guangdong Province, near my hometown. Because men have gone to work in cities, farming has fallen to women, who have shown that they are no less capable than men. In the mornings and the evenings, these women work on the farm, plowing the fields and harvesting the crops. They prepare ahead of time, carry their own tools, and work in a systematic way. 

Hands of an Elderly Lady, ​​by Qi Xiaoqing

The photograph was taken in Phoenix County, a traditional Hunan Province town. An older woman is stitching a pair of Miao handmade cotton shoes; she is so focused on her task that I wonder what she is thinking as she works.