“Women’s rights are constantly undermined, even belittled, in the presence of the ‘higher cause’ of ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’,” media quoted Yaqiu as saying. This is beside the fact they are under huge societal pressure to not risk maligning their own reputations.
Xiong Jing, director of the Beijing-based Women’s Media Monitor Network, told media that many men in the activist sphere have been able to take advantage of their reputation as do-gooders.
However, there are signs of a shift underway with a new wave of #MiTu reckoning in China.This is combined with a new freedom to discuss the matter online, as the previously pervasive censorship of the issue has given way somewhat, leading the conversation around sexual harassment and assault to explode, media reported.”They are famous, they are powerful, and they make great contributions (to society), that’s exactly what makes them think they have the power to sexually harass women,” Xiong said.
In July, a spreadsheet of accusations against prominent men within NGO, activist and media circles was shared widely by Chinese women online in a manner similar to the US “media men” list.
The #MiTu activism first took hold on the Peking University campus, when student Yue Xin received widespread attention after administrators attempted to shut down a petition by her and other students over an alleged rape case, sparking significant outrage.
