A former police officer in China is using stand-up comedy as an unconventional but powerful platform to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage women’s empowerment within a highly conservative social context. Known by the stage name “Hotpot,” the 36-year-old ex-policewoman draws on her 12 years of service as a border police officer in Yunnan province to address public perceptions of women in law enforcement, while creating space for conversations about abuse, discrimination, and women’s rights beyond the formal security sector.

Hotpot’s performances are rooted in lived experience. Raised as a “left-behind child” in rural Xishuangbanna, she overcame early bullying and gender-based stigma, excelled in police training, and went on to receive multiple commendations, including a third-class merit award. On stage, she blends humour with professional insight, recounting cases involving harassment, domestic violence, and public safety, while confronting labels such as being called an “Uncle policewoman.” Through storytelling, she challenges deeply embedded norms about who belongs in policing and what authority and competence look like when embodied by a woman.

Beyond entertainment, Hotpot’s work reflects a broader contribution to women’s protection and public education in the security ecosystem. Her sets aim to popularise legal knowledge, encourage women to recognise and resist abuse, and motivate girls from conservative or male-preference households to pursue education and independence. By translating security sector experience into accessible public engagement, Hotpot demonstrates how women with policing backgrounds can continue to advance gender equality and protection objectives, even outside uniform, while reshaping societal attitudes toward women in the security sector.

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