‘Female Knights’: China mums reshape food delivery services by juggling freedom and family

On a small island off eastern China, a group of mothers is rewriting the rules of work and family life.Known as the “Female Knights”, this determined band of women has turned food delivery into a path to financial independence and self-empowerment.Qushan Island, in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, has a population of around 55,000. Its main industries are fishing and stone mining, and access to the outside world requires a two-hour ferry ride.While most men work at sea or in the city, many women who moved here with their husbands seek part-time jobs that allow them to balance family life and earning a living.Two of the women, above, take a break from delivery duties to have some fun. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLongHowever, local opportunities are limited.Shipyards and oil factories primarily hire men, leaving these women – often with lower education and caregiving duties – stuck in low-paying, temporary jobs such as making fishing nets or working in restaurants.Workers reportedly earn only one yuan for tearing a 10-metre fishing net, and weaving a crab net takes an hour, yielding just 5 to 8 yuan (70 US cents to US$1).But over the past year, several female food delivery riders, averaging 40 years old, have transformed the local work scene.Out of the 14 full-time riders on the island, nine are women, known as the “Female Knights”.The delivery women have quickly learned how to master their vehicles. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLongLeading them is 29-year-old Chen Lirong, known as the “Car Goddess” for her speed and steady control of her electric bike. She prioritises shifts that suit mothers, quietly taking late-night orders herself.Further ReadingChen told China-youth-daily" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="45388" data-entity-type="organization">China Youth Daily that because she has two daughters, the first question she was always asked when applying for jobs in the past was, “Who takes care of your children?”For her, food delivery offers a level playing field: no barriers to entry, flexible hours, and a chance to balance work with family.Another team member, Hu Yingrong, 46, previously worked in a fishing net factory. Now, she delivers up to 189 orders a day.Band of sisters: The women have formed strong bonds as they work and play together as a team. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLongReports show her average monthly income has risen to 8,000 yuan (US$1,200), several times more than at the factory.Initially overwhelmed by complex routes and numerous orders, Hu quickly adapted, learning from Chen and engaging with customers. She soon earned the title of “order champion”.For Hu, the real reward is the control she now has over her time.“Riding and feeling the wind on the island really feels like freedom,” she told Southern People Weekly.At 44, Wang Jinrong is the team’s “happy soul,” bringing joy with her infectious laughter.After moving to the island with her husband, she suffered years of domestic abuse. A few years ago, Wang divorced and took on the responsibility of raising four children alone.As a food delivery rider, she found support from her teammates, who helped by swapping shifts to give her more time for her family.What started as a group of strangers, isolated by dialect barriers and limited social circles, has evolved into a tight-knit sisterhood.In their free time, they help each other with make-up, share orders when business is slow, and guide new riders. After payday, they head to the island’s only cafe to celebrate.One of the women bounds up a set of steep stairs to deliver an order. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLongThe islanders have come to recognise this efficient group of female riders. When they see them on the road, locals greet them by name.In these moments, they are no longer defined by their roles as someone’s wives or mothers. They are individuals, powerful in their own right.Their story has resonated widely on mainland social media, drawing an outpouring of admiration.One netizen said: “They are not just delivering food; they are delivering themselves from the cycle of dependence and family pressures.”“Women are strong, hardworking, and embody both strength and gentleness. They have shown the power of women and inspired many stuck in domestic life,” said another.