Feminist Rage Lights the Night March
Event description
On November 30, 1996, Peng Wan-ru, the director of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Women's Department, traveled to Kaohsiung to attend the upcoming DPP National Congress scheduled for the next day. She advocated for the party to establish the "One-Quarter Quota for Women's Political Participation." However, during the vote on the provision the next day, Peng Wan-ru was nowhere to be found. After an investigation by the police, her body was discovered in an empty lot in the Niaosong District of Kaohsiung, with over 30 stab wounds. It was suspected that she had been sexually assaulted and murdered before her body was abandoned. The prime suspect was believed to be a taxi driver who had transported Peng Wan-ru to the hotel, but the case remains unsolved to this day.
The Peng Wan-ru murder case stirred widespread public outcry. Many women's rights groups jointly initiated the "Feminist Rage, Lighting the Night" movement on December 21, 1996. Gathering at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at 7:30 PM, the procession marched to Daan Forest Park and maintained a vigil until six in the morning the next day. The estimated participation was around 20,000 people.
The primary objectives of this movement were not only to commemorate Peng Wan-ru and condemn gender-based violence but also to advocate for "women's right to travel safely at night." The movement urged the government to ensure the personal safety of women. It's worth noting that LGBTQ+ individuals also participated in the action, putting forth the demand for "women's right to travel at night and LGBTQ+ right to travel during the day."
Outcome
After the Peng Wan-ru homicide case, her husband established the 'Peng Wan-Ru Foundation' on May 1 of the following year. The Legislative Yuan promptly passed the Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act by the end of 1996. Amendments were swiftly made to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (specifically the section regarding taxi driver management). The Ministry of Education established the 'Gender Equity Education Committee.' The Taipei City Government was the first to establish the 24-hour 'Wan-ru Helpline,' which later merged with the Carnation Helpline, Child and Adolescent Protection Helpline, and Sexual Assault Prevention Helpline. After 2001, the Ministry of the Interior established the nationwide '113 Women and Children Protection Helpline,' providing 24/7 service, accepting reports of nationwide cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, abuse of children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Participating Organizations
Reference books
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