Li Tingting was one of five feminist activists arrested by Chinese police for organizing a campaign highlighting sexual harassment ahead of International Women’s Day 2015. Ten years on, she assesses a decade of women’s rights progress – and setbacks – in China.
It was March 2015, and our plan was simple. My four fellow activists and I would distribute stickers on subways and buses in cities across China to raise public awareness about sexual harassment. Our message was clear: sexual harassment is not a matter of “bad luck” or something to be silently endured. It is a social issue that must be addressed and resolved.
But on the eve of our action, and two days before International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, we were arrested and detained for 37 days, on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. We became known as the ‘Feminist Five’.
This is now seen as a significant moment in China’s feminist movement. But for me personally, the arrest also had a profound impact.
I never anticipated being detained so quickly. During my time in custody, I reminded myself every day to stay strong, persistent, and patient, believing firmly in my innocence. After my release, I carried the trauma of my experience, but I also found support from both international and domestic allies, and from my family. When my parents agreed to an interview with Al Jazeera, the police surrounded our village, blocking foreigners from entering. They detained my parents in a house, forbidding them from leaving or going to work. My parents were terrified, yet they did not place much blame on me.
This experience profoundly deepened my understanding of China’s censorship system and the political sensitivity surrounding feminist issues. Feminism had been completely stigmatized as a dangerous political ideology, a ‘threat’ that needed to be contained.
The All-China Women’s Federation (an off-shoot of the Chinese Communist Party) even went so far as to label feminism as a “Western ideology,” advocating instead for adherence to their interpretation of Marxist views on women and deliberately distinguishing it from Western feminist principles.
The changing landscape of women’s rights in China
Over the past decade, women’s rights in China have experienced both setbacks and progress. On a governmental level, gender issues have been increasingly marginalized, feminist activists have been systematically suppressed, and public discourse has been heavily restricted.
However, within civil society, gender awareness has been steadily rising. From the #MeToo movement to successful workplace sexual harassment lawsuits, from a growing intolerance towards gender-based violence to ongoing advocacy for marriage equality, more and more women and LGBTI people are voicing their demands in their own unique ways.
The feminist movement in China faces even greater challenges due to shifting political dynamics, but I remain hopeful
The ‘Feminist Five’ case had a significant impact throughout this process. It not only raised public awareness about the risks involved in advocating for gender equality, but it also demonstrated to many the power of taking action. Even in the face of an increasingly repressive environment, there are always individuals willing to stand up and speak out. Additionally, it brought Chinese feminist activists to the global stage, allowing the world to recognize their efforts and fostering cross-border communication.
In the aftermath, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at some of the most prestigious universities in the United States, including Harvard, MIT, Princeton and Yale, where I shared vivid stories about the Chinese feminist and LGBTI movements. What started as domestic activism has now expanded to international advocacy, and the experience of living in the diaspora has become a shared reality for many of us.
Micro advocacy and hopes for the future
Since my arrest 10 years ago, I have evolved from a feminist activist into a more strategic organizer and campaigner. I have learned how to promote gender equality in increasingly restrictive environments and how to embed feminist activism in different social contexts. Rather than focusing solely on large-scale protests, I now emphasize “micro advocacy”—leveraging everyday opportunities, social media, and artistic expression to influence public perception and action.
This shift is not only due to the shrinking space for large-scale activism but also because I believe that small, consistent efforts are the most powerful force in changing societal attitudes.
For example, organizations within China like “Period Pride” have leveraged social media to challenge menstrual shame and body shaming. Their campaign encourages women to embrace their bodies and break the silence around these issues. As menstruation became a public conversation, the issue of the “tampon tax” also gained attention. In China, sanitary pads are classified as ordinary consumer goods, rather than essential items, subjecting them to a 13% value-added tax—significantly higher than the 9% tax on food products.
In addition, recent concerns over the pH levels of sanitary pads have raised doubts about the quality of domestic Chinese brands, prompting many consumers to turn to imported alternatives from Hong Kong or abroad. These individual and collective voices are compelling businesses and the government to take action and initiate reform.
Ten years since my detention, the feminist movement in China and globally faces even greater challenges due to shifting political dynamics, but I remain hopeful for the future. My hope comes from every person who is willing to fight for gender equality, from the women who continue to speak out despite adversity, and from the small yet meaningful victories we achieve.
I believe that feminism is not just a movement; it is a way of life, a continuous practice. While we may not see the fruits of our labour immediately, I believe that as long as we keep planting the seeds of gender equality, pushing for even the smallest changes in our daily lives, the world will move towards a future of greater fairness and freedom. I will continue on this journey, standing with fellow advocates to accept the challenges and embrace the hopes that lie before us.