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Women and gender

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.
Umbu Ana Rara (left) watches as his “ata”, Kanisius Kanyali Hambarita, prepares drinks at Tanggedu village in East Sumba on June 23. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

In Indonesia’s island paradise, humans are still born into slavery

Though slavery has been illegal in what is now Indonesia for more than 160 years, it survives in Sumba’s rigid caste system.

United States

Tate brothers to fight extradition from US to UK following Miami arrests

Britain

J.K. Rowling condemns Amnesty for branding her women’s crisis centre anti-rights

China's population

China’s population ageing seen as ‘inevitable’ by 2050. Why push more births?

Raising the fertility rate above 1.3 still remains crucial to preventing a far worse scenario later in the century, analysts say.

An elderly couple practice tai chi at a park in Beijing. Photo: AP
Germany

German far-right activist sent to men’s prison despite gender change

Liebich, who was sentenced as a man, legally changed gender after Germany’s Self-Determination Act came into effect in 2024.

United States

Trump defence chief Hegseth unveils plan to test US troops for low testosterone

The Pentagon head says the screenings for those 30 and older will allow service members to operate at their ‘absolute best’.

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Wellness

Hong Kong start-ups are closing ‘glaring gap’ in women’s health technology

Meet the Hong Kong innovators who are addressing the needs for women-focused health solutions, from apps to fertility treatment centres.

Hong Kong’s rising femtech start-ups are bridging critical gaps in women’s health tech, tackling fertility, menopause and mental wellness. Photo: Shutterstock
Sexual harassment and assault

Closing the loophole in Hong Kong’s sex crime laws

Singapore

Is super-ageing Singapore headed for population decline?

With babies in short supply and its birth rate tanking, the city state is weighing a future of robots and immigrants.

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Gender

Abortion ban drives Filipino women to underground services

Abortion ban drives Filipino women to underground services
Sexual harassment and assault

British teen rapists get detention after outrage at lenient sentences

The two boys were originally given youth rehabilitation orders after raping two girls; videos of the attacks were shared online.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London, where the Court of Appeal reviewed the controversial sentences. Photo: AP
The Philippines

‘Providing a solution’? Why some Filipinos risk their lives amid abortion ban

Filipinos wanting to end unwanted pregnancies have resorted to black-market alternatives that can result in life-threatening consequences.

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United States

US Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender student athletes

Trump said the ‘ridiculous situation’ of ‘men playing in women’s sports’ was now ‘off the table’ after the hotly contested culture war fight.

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Trending in China

China ‘Spider-Woman’ single mum scales high-rises to support family

Xu receives widespread praise, as many believe that ‘a mother’s love can elevate her above hundreds of metres’ truly reflects her job.

A 36-year-old single mother in China, dubbed “Spider-Woman,” cleans and repairs high-rise buildings to support her family. Photo: Sohu
Gender

Creating safe spaces for Singapore's men

Creating safe spaces for Singapore's men
Malaysia

Marital duty, faith drive Malaysian women to give in to sex requests: survey

Only 44 per cent of Malay and Muslim women were able to refuse sex, compared with three-quarters of Chinese and Indian Malaysians.

Sexual harassment and assault

Weinstein rape charge dropped after accuser says can’t endure fourth trial

The previous trial – which ended with a hung jury – had taken a visible toll on former actress Jessica Mann, who testified for five days.

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Science

China ‘on track to surpass United States’ in goals for human, planet health: UN

Report showing global progress on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals shows gap between Chinese and US closed significantly since 2015.

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According to UN data on its Sustainable Development Goals, China has achieved "no poverty" and quality education while the US has achieved the target for industry, innovation and infrastructure. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

Dettol faces PR crisis in China after ‘objectifying women’ ad backfires

Company faces heavy criticism for reinforcing toxic gender stereotypes by equating a woman’s sexual history with physical cleanliness.

Pakistan

French woman freed in Pakistan after years of alleged captivity by husband

Sylvie Yasmina was rescued after one of her five children managed to leave the house and get to a nearby police station.

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Trending in China

Mature Chinese women rent time, experiences to young counterparts for support

Initiatives highlight young people’s desire for connection, emotional support amid pressures of male-dominated society.

In China, women in their 30s and 40s are gaining popularity by renting their time and life experiences to younger counterparts, embracing the “girls help girls” tradition on social media. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar

Japan’s women-only carriages turn 25

Japan’s women-only carriages turn 25
Japan

Japanese men picking up World Cup trash get mocked over double standards

A meme criticised the fans who often avoid doing unpaid labour such as cleaning and childcare at home.

Trending in China

Zheng Yuxiu: modern China’s ‘xia nu’ assassin and first female PhD

Independent spirit who resisted grandmother’s bid to bind her feet, worked in intelligence, transported bombs, championed women’s rights.

Poland

34 fetuses found in Polish doctor’s garden

The 57-year-old medical pathologist is suspected of using the fetuses to perform experiments and now faces up to 12 years in prison.

Anti-abortion activists protest in Warsaw, Poland in 2024. The case of Magdalena H. has whipped up a storm in traditionally Catholic Poland, with many questioning how she managed to obtain the unborn babies’ bodies in a country with some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Photo: AFP
Lunar

Lung cancer cases rise among Hong Kong women

Lung cancer cases rise among Hong Kong women
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

7 Hong Kong women’s footballers on playing the sport and fashion game

With the Fifa World Cup 2026 under way, we asked players from a prominent Hong Kong women’s team about fashion, and the professionals that inspire them – from Lionel Messi to Mia Hamm.

Trending in China

Women face extra hurdles during China’s gaokao; contraceptives used to delay periods

Pressures of crucial national college entrance exam exacerbated by menstrual factor, folk remedies like mango, blueberries, durian also tried.

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