Story of Women's Labor Camp Unnerves Even China

      During the semester, we explored violence and punishment in different countries. China in particular was a major country that showed high numbers of violence and punishment that was still going on today. This week, media reporters and other journalist are covering the harsh story of women’s labor camp in Beijing, China. The Brutal punishment of women in these camps are finally told to the world hoping to change the system.

      Wang Guilan, a 62-year-old women finally was released in September from years in the labor camp of Liaoning province. After her departure, Wang walked out with a “rolled up diary, written on waterproof material, hidden in her vagina.” Even though they searched her right before she was released, they still missed the document. Wang “broke into a cold sweat,” knowing that this was her chance to tell her story about the abuse going on in these camps. Many people all over the world, especially in China, are shocked even people with familiar tales of maltreatment, and torture. It has caused massive publication to the point where the United States-based had issued to stop reporting and republication.

      In these labor camps, they are usually for women who have been convicted of offenses such as theft, sex workers, or women petitioning for justice. “Beating, hogtying and other methods such as, “hanging up high” in which women are suspended by her stretched-out arms form a high place, “tiger bench” is when an women is seated awkwardly on a bench while tied up and beat on, “dead person’s bed” is when she is tied to all four limbs to a bed and left there for days, are all punishment methods these camps have used. The local government is setting up investigation teams to find out what and why they are punishing these women. The National People’s Congress is issuing strong calls for the system to be abolished or reformed. The China Women’s News demands to see change and along with others, believe that women who have experience these camps should tell their stories to get the message out.

     It is clear to me that China goes way overboard when it comes to punishment in their country. I really believe they like punishing people because they get a thrill out of it, even if that person is not committing a serious crime. Women are already restricted to a lot of rules or rights to freedom, why torture them more in their lives? Women are often scared to come out and tell their story if they have been physically abuse because of fear to what will happen to them. On the other hand, women need to use the opportunity to tell their story to make a change or a difference in the community. No one can help you if you keep your mouth closed. As the world moves forward, many women are taking a stand and fighting for what is right which is causing change in the world. I believe in the future women will be the main activist to stop these abuse and to change laws to better women.




http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/story-of-womens-labor-camp-abuse-unnerves-even-china/

Sheila Floyd

Soc 202-01

4/12/2013