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Women and gender

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Women and gender
News and analysis on women's rights, the gender gap, LGBTQ issues, sexual harassment, sexual minorities and masculinity in Asia and beyond.
Activists celebrate after hearing the outcome of the Supreme Court’s ruling on how to define a “woman”, in London on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Britain

‘Woman’ refers to someone born biologically female: UK’s top court

This means a transgender person with a certificate that recognises them as female should not be considered a woman for equality purposes.

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Japan

Japan sees record population decline in 2024 as birth rate crisis deepens

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The Philippines

Philippines election hopeful’s LGBTQ woes spark debate on voter focus

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Sexual harassment and assault

Inside Hollywood veteran James Toback’s fall from grace

The Oscar nominee once told how he saved Robert Downey Jr’s life when he was filming The Pick-up Artist in the late 80s, but he also struggled with a gambling addiction for years.

A New York jury has awarded US$1.68 billion to 40 women who accused Hollywood veteran James Toback of sexual abuse over a span of 35 years. Photo: TNS
The Philippines

Philippine politician’s remarks spark misogyny row

Christian Sia’s remarks have been called a potential test case for curbing misogyny on the campaign trail.

Middle East

Taliban’s morality police arrest men for skipping mosque or wrong hairstyles

During the holy fasting month of Ramadan, men’s attendance at mandated prayers was closely monitored, leading at times to arbitrary detention.

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Malaysia

Surge in sex cases involving minors in Malaysia exposes child protection flaws

In one shocking case in Kelantan, a 15-year-old girl became pregnant after she had sex with her 11-year-old cousin.

A surge in sex cases involving minors in Malaysia has led to child rights activists warning about grooming and abuse. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

Seoul palace restroom gets hi-tech spy-cam detector to combat ‘molka’ filming

The installation addresses South Korea’s struggle with illegal filming, driven by the ease of access to small, hidden cameras known as ‘molka’.

The Philippines

Philippine politician’s ‘sleep with single mums’ remarks spark misogyny row

The action against Christian Sia is ‘a test case’ on the use of sexually charged remarks while campaigning, elections commission says.

United States

Meet disc golfer Abigail Wilson, who refused to play against her trans opponent

The disc golfer’s public stand comes hot on the heels of USA Fencing’s disqualification of a contestant who refused to compete against a trans woman.

Abigail Wilson is protesting against transgender athletes in women’s sports. Photo: @abiygritte/Instagram
Singapore

2 men in Singapore jailed for raping drunk 16-year-old girl in a public toilet

A third man involved in the ‘cluster assault’ is also on trial.

Photo: AFP
Sex and relationships

Language Matters | The manosphere and its lexicon explained after Adolescence

The Netflix TV series introduced many to the language of toxic masculinity, from incel to red pills and blue pills. But misogyny is not new.

Chinese overseas

Being Chinese | I identify as a Chinese auntie, cheapskate and busybody. Anyone else?

I revel in low prices and awkward questions. I’m finding that being a Chinese auntie overseas also means being part of an Asian sisterhood.

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Sexual harassment and assault

UK comedian Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault

Brand, 50, faces one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault.

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British comedian Russell Brand, 50, faces one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault. Photo: Reuters
Lunar

A golden age for women?

Never Too Late’s “returnships” are encouraging middle-aged women to join the workforce again.

A golden age for women?
Japan

Japanese female politician gets 8,000 death threats over menstrual care post

Experts say abusive messages reflect a deeper pattern of gender-based harassment aiming to silence outspoken women and are frequent occurrences.

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Beauty

Women’s facial hair exists – it’s time we talked about it openly

Genetics, hormones, ageing and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can all lead to moustache and chin hair on women – but this is natural and nothing to be ashamed of.

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Japan

Nakai sexually assaulted Japan’s Fuji TV staff amid harassment culture: report

Lawyer-led panel calls the incident a ‘serious infringement of human rights’ and says Fuji TV management lacked awareness of sexual violence.

Japanese TV personality Masahiro Nakai in February 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/Jiji Press
Viral stories

Bizarre 2-way mirror in Thai park toilet lets men watch women for ‘enjoyment’

Outrage as theme park boss says voyeuristic looking glass was installed to give ‘fun experience for everyone’, netizens call it ‘disgusting’.

Middle East

Tehran sit-in dispersed after 48 days outside Iran’s parliament

The protesters were calling for the implementation of a bill imposing tougher penalties on women who refuse to wear the covering.

France

‘Pathologically jealous’ French man jailed for life for burning wife alive

Fearful for her life, his victim had made a report against him but investigators found the handling of her complaint severely lacking.

Protestors hold signs in front of a banner reading “Femicides, let’s protect the living” on the sidelines of the trial of Chahinez Daoud’s husband on Monday. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Editorial | Kirsty Coventry must rise to Olympic challenge after stunning win

The first woman to head the Games’ top international body has sensitive issues to tackle before the next events in Italy and the US.

Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry (centre) waves to crowds gathered to welcome her on her arrival back home at the Robert Mugabe International Airport after her recent appointment as International Olympic Committee president, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore lawyer embroiled in ‘victim shaming’ saga

Food and Drinks

Why women-only ‘Mum’s club’ parties are taking off in nightclubs

With a man-free, no-pressure atmosphere and family-friendly hours, nightclub events for women take off in UK and Germany and now France.

South Korea

South Korean mayor sparks outrage by blaming female workers for wildfire woes

Kim Doo-gyeom of Ulsan city cites limitations in fighting the devastating blaze, saying it is not easy to send women into ‘rugged mountain areas’.

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Houses burn in a South Korean village after being engulfed by a wildfire fuelled by winds. Photo: Yonhap via AP
Pakistan

Pakistan’s Parsi community shrinks as young migrate

Many young and skilled Pakistanis want to leave a country wracked with political uncertainty, security challenges and a struggling economy.

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Garbage pickers sort waste strewn around the corner of the formerly clean and tidy Sohrab Katrak Parsi Colony, which was nearly deserted by its original inhabitants, in Karachi. Photo: AFP
Books and literature

Japanese novel about a serial killer hailed as feminist overseas

Asako Yuzuki’s Butter, thought of as a crime novel in Japan, is celebrated in UK and elsewhere for exploring misogyny and body shaming.

Sexual harassment and assault

Depardieu admits grabbing woman by the hips but denies it was sexual assault

Amelie K says the film star groped her and made explicit comments, in the highest-profile #MeToo case to come before France’s courts.

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