Xiaowen Liang (born 1992)[1] is a Chinese feminist activist, organizer, and lawyer.[2][3] She is part of the #MeToo (Mi Tu) movement[1] in China.[4][5]

Xiaowen Liang
Born1992 (age 31–32)
NationalityChinese
Occupation(s)Lawyer
Activist

Early life and education edit

Liang was born in China.

In 2012, Liang received a LL.B. from South China University of Technology in China.[6][7]

In 2017, Liang received an LL.M in international law from Fordham University School of Law.[6][8]

Career edit

While in university in China, Liang co-founded an organization for lesbian feminists, but encountered many obstacles to engagement.[9] She protested differential treatment of women to men in regards to admission polities. She also lobbied for more public restroom facilities for women. In 2012, Liang was an organizer who used performance art as a method of protest. Liang and other activists did a street demonstration where they protested by doing a performance on occupying men's restrooms.[9] As part of these protests, she shaved her head.[10] As a result of her activism, and specifically holding a seminar on women's rights,[11] she was questioned by the police.[2]

In 2016, Liang moved to the United States. She said she felt pressure to stop activism.[2] The police came to her parents' house, as did her parents' employer.[11]

In the United States, Liang continues to advocate for women's rights and fight against sexual harassment and domestic violence – and bring visibility to the women's movement in China.[2]

Liang is part of the #MeToo movement and conducts protests. She founded a grassroots feminist non-governmental organization (NGO) to combat inequality.[11]

Liang is a practicing attorney in New York City.

Selected works and publications edit

  • Flynn, Hailey K.; ElDabh, Christine; Liang, Xiaowen (researched and co-authored by); Petrovic, Jelena (researched and co-authored by); Kashkooli, Fahimeh Mohammadi (researched and co-authored by) (January 2018). Flynn, Hailey K.; Mgbako, Chi Adanna (eds.). "Unjust and Untenable: Why D.C. Must Remove Criminal Penalties for Drug and Paraphernalia Possession". HIPS Report. New York, NY: Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS), Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Spierings, Lauren (6 May 2019). "'Mi Tu' in China". The Spectator. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
  2. ^ a b c d Fung, Katherine (16 May 2019). "The Chinese feminists fighting patriarchy in China from abroad". The World from PRX.
  3. ^ Economy, Liz; Vogelstein, Rachel; Hong Fincher, Leta; Pin, Lu; Xiaowen, Liang (26 July 2018). "Feminist Voices in China: From #MeToo to Censorship". Council on Foreign Relations.
  4. ^ Morgan, Robin; Xiaowen, Liang (10 June 2018). "Women's Media Center Live with Robin Morgan: WMC Live #251: Liang Xiaowen. (Original Airdate 6/10/2018)". Women's Media Center Live with Robin Morgan. starts at 17:00
  5. ^ Morgan, Robin; Xiaowen, Liang (transcribed by); Wang, D.D. (edited by); Shen, Winnie (edited by) (6 March 2019). "Liang Xiaowen: Chinese Feminist Activist on #MeTooInChina". Chinese Feminist Collective. {{cite news}}: |first3= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ a b "Our Team: Xiaowen Liang, Esq". Geng & Associates, P.C. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  7. ^ Fan, Jiayang (1 February 2018). "China's #MeToo Moment". The New Yorker.
  8. ^ Lynch, Elizabeth M. (7 December 2017). "NYC Event – Challenging Authoritarianism through Feminist Activism: Insights From China". China Law & Policy.
  9. ^ a b Ding, Julia (21 February 2017). "Under Authoritarian Rule: Feminist and LGBTQ Activism in China". The Politic.
  10. ^ Lu, Shen; Cao, Mengwen (28 August 2019). "Thwarted at Home, Can China's Feminists Rebuild a Movement Abroad?". ChinaFile, Center on U.S.-China Relations. Asia Society.
  11. ^ a b c Minhaj, Hasan; Liang, Xiaowen (10 February 2019). "Saudi Arabia + Censorship In China". Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. Netflix. starts at 16:00

External links edit