Chinese women post nude photos online to fight domestic violence
Women post provocative photos of themselves online to challenge people's prejudices and demand a law against violence in the home
Advocates for women's rights across China are publishing nude photos of themselves as part of a growing online movement pushing for the speedy enactment of an anti-domestic violence law.
They decided to take matters in their own hands rather than wait for the government to act.
Xiong Jing , a 24-year-old web editor with a graduate degree in gender studies, was one person taking part in the campaign. She signed an online petition, expected to garner 10,000 signatures, that would be sent to the National People's Congress to call for action. As part of the battle, she posted pictures of herself naked online to challenge misconceptions about what it means to be a victim.
"This is a very powerful image and something that smashes a taboo. I hope it gets people thinking about the relationship between domestic violence and the naked body," Xiong said.
"I like the saying that the body is a battlefield. I wanted to use this approach to show my support for women and raise awareness about violence against women."
The campaign, which started on November 6, has already collected over 5,000 signatures. Among the petition's demands are calls for more transparency in the legislative process to allow greater participation by ordinary people, a legal mechanism to ensure accountability, and funds for non-government organisations that help women.