Speaking Out: How Women Break the Silence
From Desert Flower to the Li Ting Incident – How Women Stand Against Violence, Deception, and Oppression
The Cost of Silence
Across the world, women face remarkably similar struggles—being silenced, subjected to violence, and denied fundamental rights. Their voices are often muted by cultural norms, fear, or systemic injustice.
In Somalia, young girls are subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), their pain dismissed as “tradition.”
In Japan, sexual harassment and assault have long been swept under the rug, leaving many women without legal justice.
In China, domestic violence is still considered a “private matter,” with society often urging women to endure rather than seek justice.
In workplaces globally, women are discriminated against due to gender, as the #MeToo movement revealed countless cases of abuse by powerful figures.
However, more and more women are breaking the silence and speaking out. Their courage has not only changed their own lives but has also triggered social transformation.
Real Stories: Women Who Found Their Voice
1. Waris Dirie: From a Mutilated Somali Girl to a Global Women’s Rights Advocate
In parts of Africa, FGM remains an entrenched practice. Waris Dirie was one of its victims—mutilated at five and forced into marriage at thirteen to a man in his sixties. She escaped across the desert alone, eventually making her way to London.
By chance, she was discovered as a fashion model, later becoming an international supermodel. At the peak of her career, she chose to reveal her harrowing past to expose the brutal reality of FGM. Her autobiography, Desert Flower, and her role as a UN anti-FGM ambassador led to laws banning the practice in multiple countries.
Her voice has protected millions of women from suffering.
2. Shiori Ito: Unmasking Power and Sexual Assault in Japan
In Japan, sexual violence has long been a taboo topic. In 2017, journalist Shiori Ito publicly accused a well-connected journalist, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, of raping her. She not only pursued legal action but also published Black Box, an eye-opening memoir about Japan’s broken system for sexual assault victims. Netflix later adapted her story into a documentary, sparking intense debate about women’s rights in Japan.
Her bravery forced society to confront the question—“Why should women have to stay silent?” The #MeToo movement gained traction in Japan, making conversations about sexual violence unavoidable.
Her story taught silenced women how to say ‘no’ to power.
3. The Li Ting Incident: A Domestic Abuse Scandal Live on Air
Just days ago, on 12 March 2024, the Chinese-speaking internet was shaken by a viral event—Li Ting’s live-streamed exposure of domestic abuse.
Li Ting, a former Chinese Academy of Sciences researcher, PhD holder, and one of China’s first-generation internet influencers, was once a well-respected figure online, known as “Shitai” (The Master). Her ex-husband, Wang Zhian, is a well-known YouTuber with a massive following.
During a live stream, Li Ting revealed years of deception, emotional manipulation (gaslighting), and domestic abuse. In a shocking moment, Wang Zhian stormed into the livestream, yelling, “Get out of my house!” in a fit of rage. His carefully crafted public persona as a respectable commentator collapsed instantly.
Li Ting’s testimony ignited an online firestorm, sparking discussions around domestic violence:
What constitutes domestic violence? Is it only physical abuse, or does it also include emotional control and financial dependence?
Why do victims struggle to leave? Financial ties, emotional manipulation, and societal pressure keep many women trapped in abusive relationships.
How do abusers control their victims? They instill fear, making the victim believe there is no escape.
In the past, domestic violence was dismissed as a “family matter,” but today, women are bravely speaking up, exposing abusers, and demanding accountability.
Her live stream forced the Chinese-speaking world to confront the ugly truth about domestic abuse.
How Women Can Break the Silence
Faced with gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and family oppression, what can women learn from these courageous pioneers?
1. Recognising the True Nature of Abuse
Violence is not just physical—it includes verbal insults, psychological manipulation, and economic control. Women must learn to identify these patterns to avoid falling into the trap of silence.
2. Telling Your Story
Every woman’s story is a force for change. From Waris Dirie to Shiori Ito and Li Ting, their courage has helped the world realise that these are not isolated incidents but systemic problems.
3. Seeking Legal and Social Support
Many countries are now strengthening laws to protect women:
European nations provide shelters and psychological support for domestic abuse victims.
Japan, post-#MeToo, has reformed sexual harassment laws.
China’s Anti-Domestic Violence Law exists, but enforcement and social awareness still need improvement.
Women must educate themselves about legal protection and use the law as a shield, rather than letting silence become a weapon against them.
4. Female Solidarity and Collective Action
Women supporting women is far more powerful than many realise:
When one woman speaks up, she encourages others to do the same.
Social media platforms enable survivors to connect, offering strength in numbers.
Community-led organisations can help victims find refuge and rebuild their lives.
If you are facing domestic violence, workplace discrimination, or gender-based oppression, remember: you are not alone. Thousands of women have stood up before you, and now it’s your turn.
Final Words: Speaking Out Changes the World
From the deserts of Somalia to Japanese courtrooms and Chinese livestreams, women are refusing to stay silent. They are standing up, fighting back, and demanding justice.
If we don’t speak out, the world won’t change. As Scarlett O’Hara said in Gone with the Wind:
“After all, tomorrow is another day.”
A safer, fairer world for women depends on whether we are willing to raise our voices today. The time for silence is over—the time to speak out is now.
-To Be Continued EP021-
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