( CNN ) Five young Chinese feminists , whose detention has provoked an international outcry , may face up to five years in prison over their campaign for gender equality . The women were among detained on March 6 and March 7 in three Chinese cities -- Beijing , Guangzhou and Hangzhou -- shortly before events they had planned for International Women 's Day on March 8 . Wang Qiushi , the lawyer for one of the women , Wei Tingting , said police had recommended on April 6 that prosecutors press charges of `` assembling a crowd to disturb public order . '' Wang told CNN that prosecutors had to decide whether to pursue the charges within seven days of the submission -- by Monday . `` We hope that the prosecutors will not approve a formal arrest warrant , following the laws and standing up to pressure , '' he said . `` But nobody knows what to expect till Monday ; we can do nothing but wait . '' The five were initially held on suspicion of `` picking quarrels and provoking trouble . '' Wang said he did n't know why the charge against the women changed . `` Neither should constitute a crime , '' he said . Campaign group Amnesty International said the new charge was less serious but still carried a maximum jail term of five years . `` The women were doing nothing wrong , nothing illegal . They were simply calling for an end to sexual harassment , '' William Nee , China researcher at Amnesty International told CNN . `` Everything they were doing was in line with China 's own laws and policies . '' Wang said that Wei had been subject to lengthy cross examinations during her detention but was well the last time they met on March 31 . Two of the women are said to be in poor health . He added that the charges relate both to the activities the women planned for International Women 's Day and earlier campaigns against domestic violence and for more public toilets for women . The five -- who are members of China 's Women 's Rights Action Group -- had planned to hand out stickers printed with slogans saying `` stop sexual harassment , let us stay safe '' and `` go police , go arrest those who committed sexual harassment ! '' on women 's day . The detention of Wei , along with Wu Rongrong , Li Tingting , Wang Man and Zheng Churan has drawn harsh criticism from the international community . Protests have taken place in several cities , including Hong Kong , that urge Chinese officials to `` free the five . '' A social media campaign also uses the phrase as a hashtag . On Monday , Hillary Clinton , former U.S. secretary of state , tweeted that the activists ' detention was `` inexcusable . '' Her comment drew a rebuke from Chinese authorities , who said public figures should respect China 's sovereignty and independence . Maya Wang , China researcher at Human Rights Watch , said the activists were best known for their `` performance art '' style protests -- occupying public toilets to highlight long lines at women 's restrooms , donning blood-spattered wedding gowns to protest domestic violence and shaving their heads to protest against barriers to higher education for women . `` These activists epitomize the spirit of the times . They are young , confident , ready to challenge established norms , '' Wang said . As China prepares to mark the anniversary of landmark UN Fourth World Conference on Women in September , it will be hard for authorities to justify detaining the activists , she added .
Five young women have been detained by China since September . They campaigned against sexual harassment . Their detention has attracted international criticism .