Forceful lyrics on domestic violence strike chord in China
Taipei, Dec 17: Quarrel, rape, adultery. Tricky, greedy, sycophantic. Chinese singer Tan Weiwei chants each word methodically in a two-line string of vulgarities and insults.
The 16 words in her new song share something in common: The character for woman, “nu,” is part of the Chinese character for each word. Tan’s forceful and shocking use of these words — often used to disparage women — is meant to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence and has struck a chord in China, where despite growing public awareness and anger, victims have a hard time getting justice.
Across multiple social media platforms, many are praising Tan for speaking out and calling attention to something that many do not discuss publicly. Her song, “Xiao Juan,” refers to some recent high-profile cases that have sparked national discussion and calls for better legal protection.
In September, a young Tibetan woman died after her ex-husband came after her with gasoline and set her on fire while she was broadcasting a livestream from her kitchen. In October, a video circulated of a man in Shanxi apparently beating his wife to death while bystanders stood by looking on.
“With fists, with kerosene, with acid… Flushed down the sewer, from the marriage house to sinking in the riverbed,” Tan sings.
“Imprisoned my body and cut my tongue, silently weaving tears into the silk and brocade.”
Victims of domestic violence in the country frequently have little recourse to finding justice and reporting is low. China only passed a law specifically criminalising domestic violence in 2015.
The state-run All-China Women’s Federation estimates that about one in three married Chinese women will experience domestic violence.
Yet in 2018, the federation only logged 39,371 official reports from the nation’s estimated 270 million families. (AP)
Chihuahua dog missing for 5 years in California is found
Pomona(US), Dec 16: A Chihuahua dog named Sweet-Pea who went missing five years ago in Southern California has been found and is back home.
The tiny dog was reunited with her owner on thanks to microchip identification, KNBC-TV reported Tuesday. Sweet-Pea went missing in the city of Compton in 2015.
The Inland Valley Humane Society found her about 30 miles (48 kilometers) away in the community of Covina. Sweet-Pea appeared to have been well-cared for during her long absence, KNBC-TV reported.
There were no immediate details disclosed about where the dog stayed while away from her owner. Having Sweet-Pea back “means the world to me,” owner Ursula Lopez told KNBC-TV. (AP)