Performing Feminism : Motivations of Young Feminist Activists in China
(2015) ACET35Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
- Abstract
- China’s women’s movement is currently being reignited by diverse groups of young feminist activists. Given China’s authoritarian environment, these activists have condemned institutionalized efforts to achieve gender equality and instead adopted a noninstitutionalized approach through performance art, such as theatre and singing. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference and sets the stage for reviving the discussions on women rights in China. Yet, a recent event of arresting and detaining some activists shows the risks involved of highlighting current gender inequalities. The aim of this study is to explore the motivations behind the movement. With data collected from semi-structured interviews with group... (More)
- China’s women’s movement is currently being reignited by diverse groups of young feminist activists. Given China’s authoritarian environment, these activists have condemned institutionalized efforts to achieve gender equality and instead adopted a noninstitutionalized approach through performance art, such as theatre and singing. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference and sets the stage for reviving the discussions on women rights in China. Yet, a recent event of arresting and detaining some activists shows the risks involved of highlighting current gender inequalities. The aim of this study is to explore the motivations behind the movement. With data collected from semi-structured interviews with group members and academics, together with various observations, it aims to identify the motivation of these young feminist activists. While personal experiences act as a driver to become engaged, it is found that high levels of solidarity and group dynamics are highly significant in sustaining the movement. Through eclectic and non-institutionalized demonstrations, and thereby putting their own safety at risk, the group of activists has become more vocal in China’s society. (Less)
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@misc{8894109,
abstract = {{China’s women’s movement is currently being reignited by diverse groups of young feminist activists. Given China’s authoritarian environment, these activists have condemned institutionalized efforts to achieve gender equality and instead adopted a noninstitutionalized approach through performance art, such as theatre and singing. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference and sets the stage for reviving the discussions on women rights in China. Yet, a recent event of arresting and detaining some activists shows the risks involved of highlighting current gender inequalities. The aim of this study is to explore the motivations behind the movement. With data collected from semi-structured interviews with group members and academics, together with various observations, it aims to identify the motivation of these young feminist activists. While personal experiences act as a driver to become engaged, it is found that high levels of solidarity and group dynamics are highly significant in sustaining the movement. Through eclectic and non-institutionalized demonstrations, and thereby putting their own safety at risk, the group of activists has become more vocal in China’s society.}},
author = {{Trang, Madelene}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Performing Feminism : Motivations of Young Feminist Activists in China}},
year = {{2015}},
}