This week, 25-year-old feminist Xiao Meili launched a competition on Weibo – something like the Chinese version of Twitter – that asks women to share pictures of their armpit hair in a bid to challenge gender inequality and beauty norms. Six winners will be chosen on Wednesday and their prizes will include condoms, vibrators and “a pedestal urinal that a woman can use while standing,” CNN reports.
“Women should have the right to decide how to deal with their bodies, including small details like armpit hair,” Xiao told the news channel. “You can choose to shave it, but you shouldn’t be forced to do so under the pressure of stereotypes.”
Among the 40 plus women who have submitted images so far are three of the five feminist activists who were recently arrested in Beijing, before a protest they were organizing to raise awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence. Xiao is also a trailblazing member of China’s feminist movement. She’s staged multiple public protest performances and last year she walked over 1,200 miles across China to call attention to sexual abuse in Chinese schools.
You have until Wednesday to submit your entry. #powerpits!
Related: Miley Cyrus Puts Her Hands in the Air for Armpit Hair
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Text Alice Newell-Hanson
Image via Weibo