ABSTRACT
Since June 2019, Hong Kong has had weekly protests triggered by the introduction of an extradition bill to China. The peaceful protests saw 2 million people march on the streets, which escalated into chaos and violence. Police deployed excessive force causing retaliation from protestors resulting in many instances of brutality. This chapter focuses on the visual activism from this movement, particularly featuring women protestors, that has proliferated digital and public spaces. Hong Kong women have been active participants and the way they are represented and represent themselves in visual culture reveal specific perceptions of gender norms and female empowerment. Although visual culture is a small part of the strategies that Hong Kong civilians have engaged in to resist the erosion of democratic freedoms, it is important to reflect on women’s increased participation and how they are portrayed and viewed in the biggest socio-political movement in the city-state’s history.
