The #MeToo movement (Chinese: #WoYeShi) emerged in China shortly after it originated in the United States. In mainland China, online MeToo posts were slowed by government censorship.[1][2] On Weibo, #Metoo and #MetooinChina were both blocked for a period of time.[3] To avoid the censorship, Chinese women using the #MeToo hashtag on social media began using bunny and bowl-of-rice emojis; "rice bunny" is pronounced mi-tu in Chinese. Feminist activist Xiao Qiqi originated the use of rice-bunny emojis for the movement.[4][5] Another alternative is “River Crab” which indicates censorship.[6] Generally, the #Metoo movement was only accessible to elite women and urban women.[7]
Due to the lack of sexual education in schools, many women lack the necessary information to address their own sexual assault experiences, their frequency, and their negative effects on their life. When the #MeToo movement surfaced, women had the opportunity to hear and share their own sexual assault experiences, especially through the use of social media. Additionally, social media allows for education and awareness to be built for women and people in general.[8] In Chinese society, Confucian values remain important; these ideological beliefs often create a negative stigma around woman who have experienced sexual assault and those who don’t remain chaste. Additionally, there is a cultural emphasis on holding up hierarchies.[9] The #MeToo movement allowed for disclosure and support with less risk in order to promote change and combat structural oppression.[9] The #MeToo movement and similar hashtags have brought women’s oppression into the public’s eye.