Born: December 9, 1961
Biography:
Mao Hengfeng, born on December 9, 1961, is a prominent women’s rights and human rights activist in the People’s Republic of China. Her unwavering determination and courage have made her a symbol of resilience and defiance in the face of oppression.
Mao’s journey as an activist started when she refused to abort her third child, despite already having twins. This act of defiance against China’s strict family planning regulations led to her detention in an ankang, a psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of a long and arduous battle for her rights.
In 1988, Mao was dismissed from her job at a Shanghai soap factory due to her pregnancy with a third child. She refused to have an abortion and was subsequently detained in a psychiatric hospital. Despite giving birth on February 28, 1989, and going through a traumatic experience at the psychiatric institute, Mao was informed on March 20 that she had been terminated from her job for missing sixteen days of work.
Determined to fight for justice, Mao appealed against her dismissal under China’s Labour Law, eventually finding success and being reinstated to her job. However, the soap factory disputed the ruling, leading to yet another setback. Mao was seven months pregnant with her fourth child during the appeal hearing when the judge made a morally reprehensible proposition. He told Mao that if she terminated her pregnancy, he would rule in her favor. Faced with the welfare of her existing family in mind, Mao reluctantly agreed to abort her fourth child. Despite this sacrifice, the court still ruled against her, citing her unauthorized leave and violation of family planning policies.
From 1990 to 2004, Mao tirelessly petitioned the authorities for redress for her dismissal, forced abortion, and the denial of her basic rights, including freedom of expression. She also attempted to initiate legal proceedings against the authorities but was met with indifference and refusal from the courts. Undeterred, Mao fervently fought not just for her own rights but also for the rights of others, actively supporting fellow citizens seeking justice.
Mao’s activism has come at a great cost. In 2004, she was sentenced to a year and a half of re-education through labor, followed by two and a half years in prison for intentional destruction of property from 2006 to 2008. Finally released from Shanghai Women’s Prison on November 29, 2008, Mao’s fight for justice did not end there. She continued to face further persecution and was even subjected to additional periods of re-education through labor. Despite enduring torture and ill-treatment, Mao remained steadfast in her pursuit of a more just society.
Mao Hengfeng’s unwavering determination and courage have inspired countless others in their fight for gender equality and human rights. Though her journey has been filled with pain and sacrifice, her resilience and relentless pursuit of justice stand as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Awards:
– Mao Hengfeng has not received any official awards or recognitions, but her bravery and activism have earned her the admiration and respect of many individuals and organizations dedicated to the promotion of human rights and women’s rights in China.