Women in China say #MeToo on broader range of issues in 2019
- Movement which began by giving voice to victims of sexual harassment has encouraged a public discussion of traditionally taboo women’s issues
- Workplace discrimination, domestic abuse and the trauma of childbirth are among the hot topics
For two months, from September 2019, a master’s student at a Shanghai university was bombarded with texts from her professor. At first, he asked about her daily life, reminded her to exercise and take good care of herself, to find a boyfriend. Often, he would text her to bid her goodnight.
Over time, the texts grew more explicit. He often said he liked her, called her “babe”, sent hugging and kissing emojis and invited her to join him for meals. The student, who later took the pseudonym “Xiaowen”, said she felt uncomfortable but did not dare to directly turn him down.
Once, Qian Fengsheng, an accounting professor from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, may have experienced no immediate repercussions. But that was before the #MeToo storm broke over China in 2018. As the movement matured in its second year, women like Xiaowen have been taking action.
Last month, after their final lecture, Xiaowen said Qian drove her back to her dormitory, turned the car into a deserted lane and sexually assaulted her. It was 9.40pm. Xiaowen reported the incident to the police, as well as posting about it online. Three days later, Qian was sacked.
A few days later, a graduate from Peking University in Beijing also posted about a professor’s inappropriate relationships with multiple women. PKU reacted immediately and suspended him.
