The Feminist Backlash: Women's Rights and Resistance in Contemporary China

In recent years, the feminist movement in China has sparked both inspiration and controversy. While urban youth and activists push for gender equality, a noticeable backlash has emerged—rooted in traditional values, state skepticism, and online polarization. This isn’t just about women demanding rights; it’s a cultural tug-of-war playing out on social media, in universities, and even in state-run newspapers.

Consider this: according to a 2023 survey by Peking University, over 67% of women aged 18–35 in first-tier cities support feminist ideals like equal pay and reproductive rights. Yet, only 22% identify as 'feminists'—a telling sign of the stigma attached to the label.

The Rise and Resistance

China’s feminist awakening began quietly in the early 2010s with campaigns against sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The #MeToo movement gained traction in 2018 when Luo Qianqian accused a prominent professor of assault. Her case went viral—but so did the smear campaigns against her.

Since then, feminist voices have been increasingly censored. In 2021, Weibo banned the term 'feminism' from trending topics. Activist groups like the 'Feminist Five' were detained in 2015 for planning anti-harassment campaigns. The state often frames feminism as 'divisive' or 'Western-influenced,' fueling public skepticism.

Data Snapshot: Public Opinion on Feminism (2023)

As shown, while most young urban women support equality, few embrace the feminist identity—largely due to online harassment and negative media framing. Terms like 'nü quan' (女权) are now mocked as 'man-hating' or elitist.

The Social Media War

Douyin and Weibo have become battlegrounds. Feminist influencers share stories of workplace bias or marriage pressure, only to be flooded with comments like 'You’ll die alone' or 'Go back to the West.' Meanwhile, anti-feminist memes spread rapidly—like the viral 'Good Wife, Virtuous Mother' trope glorifying traditional roles.

But resistance persists. Grassroots collectives organize offline reading groups and legal aid workshops. Universities host quiet discussions on consent and patriarchy—though many avoid official registration to dodge scrutiny.

What’s Next?

Feminism in China isn’t dead—it’s evolving. As one anonymous activist told us: 'We don’t shout anymore. We educate, we write, we listen.' The future may lie not in grand protests, but in slow, persistent cultural change.

The backlash is real, but so is the resilience. And that’s a story worth telling.