Women in China are increasingly enrolling in all-female home repair and electrical courses to gain self-sufficiency and improve personal safety. Groups like Mulan Build in Hangzhou and 38fix in Shanghai provide training in wiring, drilling, and plumbing to address a growing demographic of financially independent women living alone who prefer female technicians over male contractors.
The Rise of All-Female Repair Collectives in China
A shifting social landscape in China is driving a surge in demand for gender-specific vocational training. According to reports from Hong Kong Free Press and AFP, women are moving away from traditional gender roles to master DIY maintenance and electrical work. This trend is closely tied to falling marriage rates and an increase in single-woman households, where financial independence allows women to seek professional skills previously dominated by men.
Several organizations have emerged to fill this gap:
- Mulan Build: Based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, this group focuses on electricity courses and household fixes.
- 38fix: A Shanghai-based company named after International Women’s Day (March 8) that offers workshops on drilling and construction.
- Diandian Home Solution: A service operating in Guangzhou and Kunming specializing in plumbing and furniture assembly.
- Shero: A company that has expanded from general cleaning to specialized appliance repair, such as air conditioner maintenance.
Safety and Communication as Primary Drivers
For many participants, the motivation for learning these skills is rooted in security. Xu Leran, a 26-year-old student, told AFP that inviting male strangers into her home raises “safety concerns,” whereas a female technician provides a sense of ease and smoother communication. Instructor Wu Shuang of Mulan Build described the challenges facing women living alone as a “very real, objective issue,” noting that their specific needs have historically been overlooked.
Beyond safety, the training provides a psychological sanctuary. A participant nicknamed Yiling told AFP that all-female environments eliminate the “microaggressions” often experienced in male-dominated classrooms.
Systemic Barriers to Professional Entry
Despite the popularity of these workshops, women face significant hurdles when attempting to turn these skills into a career. Chen Ning, the 27-year-old founder of Mulan Build, told AFP that it remains “incredibly difficult” for women to break into the industry and secure the respect they deserve.
Specific barriers identified by the organizers include:
- Employment Discrimination: Wu Shuang reports that some job platforms explicitly state they do not accept female technicians.
- Promotion Gaps: Women face more obstacles when seeking advancement within the repair industry.
- Client Skepticism: Kale Li, founder of 38fix, noted that her team often faces heightened scrutiny from customers—including other women—who doubt their competence compared to men.
Economic Impact and Career Viability
The demand for these services is tangible. Kale Li reports that 38fix maintains a monthlong backlog of orders with consistently fully booked workshops. Yang Mengchen, who leads an all-women appliance cleaning team, stated that these skills provide a viable career path for women, particularly those migrating from rural areas or small towns to cities.
The movement is also leveraging social media to build legitimacy. Diandian Home Solution has grown a following of over 30,000 on the platform Xiaohongshu, using video demonstrations of their tools and technical expertise to challenge stereotypes and attract new clients.
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