Year After Detentions, Chinese Feminists Mark Setbacks and Progress- Tori Gilchrist, 1st period

One year ago today, five women in China were arrested for their plans to distribute leaflets that warned about groping on public transportation. Their detentions caused an uproar worldwide. Six days ago, China passed a law making domestic violence illegal. The "Anti-Family Violence Law" is the first in the country's history that makes domestic violence punishable. It's designed to protect women, men, children, the elderly, and disabled people, however, it's unclear if same-sex partners or victims of sexual abuse will be included. On March 1, the day the law was passed, a sixty year old woman in Beijing was finally able to file a lawsuit against her husband who had been beating her for thirty five years. If this law is enforced, it could protect millions of women from the same fate.

Domestic violence has been present since the beginning of history. We probably won't live to see the day where it becomes a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean progress isn't happening. There are movements, organizations, and charities everywhere that are gaining recognition- whether it's happening in France, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Libya, or here in the US.  Over the past few years, I've witnessed lots of rallies and protests specifically against sexual violence on American college campuses. It could take years for the government to do something truly impactful, like it did for women in China, but it's happening slowly and surely.