A 24-year-old girl hikes from Beijing to Guangzhou to advocate against sexual assault, aiming to promote institutional reforms.
She plans to hike from Beijing to Guangzhou and is currently in Hebei.
At each destination, she sends letters to relevant departments proposing mechanisms to prevent campus sexual assaults, hoping her actions will influence more people and eventually drive deeper systemic changes.
Xiao Meili, a slender 24-year-old girl weighing less than 50 kilograms, set out on foot from Beijing to Guangzhou on September 15 to call on the government to strengthen prevention and protection for victims of campus sexual abuse. Along the way, she gathers signatures from locals and submits letters proposing anti-sexual assault mechanisms in schools as well as freedom of information requests to municipal (county) governments, education bureaus, and public security bureaus. During the National Day holiday, Xiao Meili passed through Shijiazhuang. “This is quite difficult. I’ve received a lot of support but also encountered some misunderstanding. But things must be done step by step. Individual efforts may seem insignificant, but if they can inspire more people to become aware and take action, it could help build a better system.”
Hiking to Advocate Against Sexual Assault with Friends’ Support
On October 1, after traveling from Xinle in Shijiazhuang to Zhengding Xinchengpu, Xiao Meili and her companions didn’t settle into a hotel until around 10 p.m., finally removing the bandages on their feet. The blisters that had formed earlier were gradually healing. This hiking campaign themed “against sexual assault” wasn’t an impulsive decision. “This year, frequent media reports on campus sexual assault cases show that prevention and handling of such issues remain inadequate in many areas. Punishing perpetrators after incidents occur isn’t enough—we need mechanisms to prevent these things from happening in the first place, and protective measures to prevent secondary harm to victims when they do happen.”
Xiao Meili said she chose to hike because “it’s a powerful act. There are few long-distance hikes led by women, and a major concern is often fear of sexual assault. So I believe using a method that’s seen as highly vulnerable to assault—walking—to protest against it is a positive and multifaceted action.”
Xiao Meili’s effort has received support from friends. So far, female companions have joined her throughout. During the National Day holiday, her friend Li Maizi and several others traveled from across the country to Hebei to meet her.
Funds for the hike come from donations. Xiao Meili, from Chengdu, studied in Beijing and stayed there after graduation, running an online store—but the income wasn’t enough to support this long journey. “When my friends found out, they donated, and then friends of friends started offering financial support too.”
Receives First Response in Hebei
In Hebei, Xiao Meili hiked from Baoding to Shijiazhuang. “Along the way, I sent letters to governments, education bureaus, and public security bureaus in Zhuozhou, Gaobeidian, Xushui, Xinle, and Zhengding. In Dingxing County, I delivered them in person.” The Gaobeidian Education Bureau gave her the first reply. Though it didn’t mention specific preventive measures against campus sexual assault, Xiao Meili was still mildly excited. “Even if they don’t have measures ready yet, the response from the education department shows an attitude—they care.”
Having studied design in university, Xiao Meili carries a set of paints and a sketchbook to document her journey in pictures and words. Her sketchbook includes a hand-drawn map from her initial route plan, though actual travel rarely goes as planned. “I used phone maps to find routes. Once, I found two hotels in a town, but when I got there, neither existed. So I have to adjust the route based on real situations.”
Initially, Xiao Meili hadn’t planned to collect signatures, but later felt it was necessary. “It helps raise awareness about sexual assault during outreach and participation. But responses vary wildly—some are very curious, some supportive, others not so understanding. At Hebei University, we collected the most signatures. There was also a mother who, learning our theme was against sexual assault, bought us some cakes and expressed concerns about her daughter’s safety. It was touching to meet mothers willing to learn and support our cause.”
Hope to Drive Institutional Change
Xiao Meili’s feminist hiking trip was initially planned for half a year. “Now it may take longer. Taking it slowly, I hope more people will learn about and pay attention to the issue of sexual assault against girls.” She carefully plans her journey. “Now I’m accompanied by friends. We budget 35 yuan per day for food for two people, and under 100 yuan for lodging. City stays can be slightly more. I haven’t hiked alone yet, but if I do, I’ll choose safe times, safe routes, and avoid night travel.”
Besides food and lodging, the biggest expenses are medicine and bandages. “For the first few days, my knees hurt. The mental stress was huge because I’ve had knee issues due to a weak meniscus. If something serious happened, what would I do?” Fortunately, the pain gradually subsided after applying plasters for a few days. Now, every morning before setting off, she wraps her knees in bandages as protection. “In some places, we use performance art to spread awareness against sexual assault, making signs or buying materials locally.” With a long way to Guangzhou still ahead, when asked if she might fundraise during the trip, Xiao Meili replied, “Absolutely not. When collecting signatures, some people were already scared of us. If we asked for money too, they’d really think we’re scammers.”
As for the final impact, Xiao Meili says it’s hard to predict. Through the journey, she’s been reflecting and hopes to help establish a support fund for sexually assaulted girls, maybe write a book, or give school lectures on sex education and preventing sexual assault. “Right now, these are just ideas and plans. The priority is to keep moving forward, one stop at a time.”
Dialogue
Unafraid to Be in the Minority
Encourage More People to Stand Against Sexual Assault
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Your “Beautiful Feminist Hike” not only advocates “against sexual assault” but also includes “girls should be free.” What does that phrase mean?
Xiao Meili: On one hand, I want to say we shouldn’t overprotect girls out of fear of sexual assault, but rather ensure they have both a free living environment and safety. On the other hand, we should be more forgiving toward girls who’ve experienced assault, helping them face the future bravely instead of suffering secondary harm from societal judgment.
I have a friend who was sexually assaulted as a child. But it took a long time before she trusted me enough to quietly and fearfully share it. Many victims lack the courage to speak out, which indirectly enables perpetrators. I hope my actions help more people understand sexual assault, find the courage to oppose it, and speak up if they experience it.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Did you have any expected outcomes when you started this hike?
Xiao Meili: I never expected a huge impact. I hope my actions can bring small changes to the issue of sexual assault against girls. For example, concrete measures could be introduced—education departments strengthening sex education for youth (current health education remains superficial). Prevention is key, so preventive policies must be implemented, along with psychological counseling when needed. Law enforcement should also intensify efforts, especially in cracking down on underage sexual assault.
Becoming Strong Because of Vulnerability
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Do your parents support this campaign?
Xiao Meili: I haven’t told them yet—not only because I fear their opposition, but mainly their worry about my safety. But the media will eventually inform them, and I’ll talk to them gradually.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: It is understood that this hike is not your first “stunning move.” Previously, you also took part in the “Occupy Men’s Toilets” campaign and shaved your head to protest the Ministry of Education’s practice of setting lower college entrance exam admission score thresholds for women than for men in the early admission batches. You’re so petite—why do you always have such bold ideas and take such strong actions? Is there some stubbornness in your bones?
Xiao Meili: Actually, I’m quite a mild-tempered person.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Then why are your ideas and actions always so surprising?
Xiao Meili: Maybe it’s because I’m usually too mild—so I always want to make myself stronger.
We must not let wrong things be justified through endurance.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Do your friends understand your actions?
Xiao Meili: In the past, my friends didn’t really understand what I was doing. They thought my actions weren’t very “cool,” and that they required a lot of time and effort. But over time, they gradually came around—they not only supported me in action but also helped me raise funds. Many friends came to the scene to join me in the activities.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Do you think your actions are meaningful?
Xiao Meili: I think they are very necessary and meaningful. For example, on the issue of combating sexual assault against minors, it feels quite difficult to do something right now—but if we keep pushing bit by bit, I believe we can eventually institutionalize it and establish mechanisms to protect and regulate it.
Right now, some of our actions might not be understood, but when this becomes history in the future and we look back, people may realize that those efforts were necessary. As responsible citizens, we cannot be absent when history is unfolding. I am not afraid to be among that small group of people.
Yanzhao Metropolis Daily: Do you think that “small group” is important?
Xiao Meili: Often, the silent tolerance of many allows certain issues to be normalized—and that is a terrifying thing. Take employment discrimination as an example: many female college students, when job hunting, automatically assume that certain jobs just aren’t suitable for them. People want jobs, but they won’t fight for their rights. On the issue of sexual assault against minors, many choose silence as they weigh reputation and immediate benefits. When fewer people resist in society, certain things become somewhat normalized.
The absence of dissenting voices is frightening. We hope that the efforts of a small group of people can influence more people. Once there’s a foundation of resistance, it might eventually drive deeper, systemic change.
Suggested excerpts
◆ Please instruct schools, through education administrative departments, to provide sex education, gender equality education, and personal safety education. Select and appoint personnel with healthy psychological qualities and good moral character to leadership positions in schools. If any such person is found to have committed sexual assault, hold the appointers and evaluators accountable. Establish teacher conduct guidelines aimed at preventing sexual abuse and provide relevant training for teachers.
◆ The public security bureau is responsible for investigating sexual assault cases outside school campuses, severely punishing perpetrators, and establishing and fostering a safe community environment through strict enforcement and accountability.
◆ Relevant departments should guide schools in creating non-discriminatory environments, caring for victims of sexual assault, and preventing school dropout or discrimination. Schools could also invite social non-profit organizations to campus to promote various self-protection awareness initiatives. Establish a student rights protection lawyer system, where judicial authorities assign responsible lawyers to regularly provide legal assistance to students on campus.
Profile: Xiao Meili is a volunteer focused on women’s rights and has participated in numerous advocacy campaigns related to women’s rights, such as the “Occupy Men’s Toilets” movement, shaving her head to protest the Ministry of Education’s lower admission score thresholds for female students in the college entrance exam’s early admission batches, and wearing a blood-stained wedding dress to oppose intimate partner violence.