In China, women who call themselves the “silence breakers” are circulating petitions demanding investigations into sexual harassment and are sharing internet memes like clenched fists with painted nails, writes The New York Times. But Chinese women are struggling to organize a far-reaching #MeToo movement not only because of a male-dominated society, but because of the ruling Communist party itself. Government censors are trying to block the campaign, stopping the use of phrases like “anti-sexual harassment” on social media and deleting online petitions calling for greater protections for women. Officials have also warned some activists against speaking out, and have suggested they will be seen as traitors colluding with foreigners if they keep it up.
“So many sincere and eager voices are being muted,” said Zhang Leilei, 24, an activist in the southern city of Guangzhou who has helped circulate dozens of petitions among college students, to The New York Times. “We are angry and shocked.”
Women have been demanding investigations into bosses, teachers, and co-workers and they request universities investigate harassment complaints more forcefully. And they are using social media to rail against sexism and denounce the lack of women in high office. But the campaign is testing the limits of a government that does not like citizen-led movements, controls all news media and has a poor record of promoting women’s rights, writes The Times.
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
