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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.
Marius Borg Høiby has been under investigation since his arrest on August 4 last year on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend. Photo: AFP
Crime

Norwegian princess’ ‘bay boy’ son suspected of 3 rapes

Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, is also suspected of nearly two dozen other offences like vandalism, issuing threats and violating restraining orders.

Hong Kong politics

Why a Hong Kong district councillor can’t have it all as beauty queen hopeful

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Israel-Iran conflict

Iran’s ‘paper tiger’ leadership will fall, Nobel peace laureate Ebadi predicts

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Japan

US marine’s ‘hugged her’ defence fails as Japan jails him for sexual assault

James Clayton, 22, was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to rape a woman in Okinawa.

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People walk past the US Marine Corps’ Camp Hansen in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: Kyodo / AP
Luxury Hotels

The rise of independent female hoteliers – and their luxurious properties

Female hoteliers are redefining hospitality with personal touches; Rosewood’s Sonia Cheng and Pellicano Group’s Marie-Louise Scio are creating fresh concepts to cater to shifting tastes.

France

France charges UK man over staged Disneyland ‘marriage’ with child

The man, who has a criminal record in Britain for sexual assault offences, staged the wedding with a girl, 9.

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My Take

My Take | Brave victims help bring brutal rapist from Chinese mainland to justice

Zou Zhenhao, convicted of 10 attacks in Britain and China, may have carried out up to 50 more and police want women to come forward.

Zhenhao Zou, is seen in a photo released by authories in March. Metropolitan Police handout via Reuters
LGBTQ in China

China’s LGBT creators face growing online censorship

Britain

Chinese student who raped and drugged 10 women jailed for life in UK

Zhenhao Zou, who will serve a minimum 24 years, may be one of the worst sex offenders in UK history, police say.

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Pacific nations

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

A stallholder displays her wares to tourists at a market on Rarotonga in the Pacific nation of the Cook Islands earlier this month. Photo: AFP
Singapore

‘I’m sorry’: Ian Fang apologises for sexual offences, surrenders for jail term

Former actor acknowledges having sex with a 15-year-old is a ‘very huge mistake’, apologises to the victim as he begins 40-month jail term.

Former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang was convicted on May 19 on three counts of sexual penetration of a minor. Photo: Handout
Japan

Japan’s host clubs face reform as new law targeting predatory practices bites

Last year, police received 2,776 host club-related complaints, with many involving women being forced into sex work to cover unpaid bills.

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Britain

UK appoints first woman to head MI6 spy service

Career intelligence officer Blaise Metreweli chosen as next MI6 chief, an appointment the UK prime minister called historic.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, TikTok brings fame, money – and threats to female influencers

The murder of teenage TikTok star Sana Yousaf sparks debate on women’s safety online amid rising violence.

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Activists hold photographs of TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf during a demonstration condemning violence against women in Islamabad on June 5. Photo: AFP
Profile

Ultra-marathon sensation Sunmaya Budha blazes a trail for women to follow

Not only has she taken the ultra-marathon world by storm, Nepali running star Budha has opened hearts and minds.

Sunmaya Budha on her way to a nine-second victory in the 70km Wenling Golden Coast Trail Race in mainland China last year. Photo: Naden81
Britain

7 men in UK convicted in latest trial over ‘grooming gangs’ scandal

They were convicted after a trial involving 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006.

Southeast Asia

The Indonesian fintech firm bridging funding gaps

Amartha is helping women running small businesses in rural areas that remain locked out of traditional banking.

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Harvey Weinstein

Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

Jury deadlock on rape charge leads to mistrial, while Weinstein’s sex abuse conviction faces appeal.

Harvey Weinstein in court on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Sexual harassment and assault

Harvey Weinstein convicted of top charge in #MeToo sex crimes retrial

The film mogul was acquitted of another charge, while jurors in New York remained unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.

Japan

Japan’s hidden dark side: rising female drinkers and the battle to stay sober

Facing stigma in a male-dominated culture, many women are turning to support groups that offer a safe space for recovery and address their unique issues.

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Middle East

Syria decrees women must wear burkinis, ‘decent’ clothing at public beaches

The order drew concerns among some Syrians about their personal freedoms under the country’s new Islamist authorities.

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A woman in a bikini sits at a pool in Freiburg, Germany. Syrian authorities unveiled new clothing rules on Tuesday. Photo: dpa
South Korea

South Korean court fines woman for sexual misconduct over ‘pantsing’ prank

The woman claimed she had done it as a joke when she pulled down the man’s trousers – and his underwear by accident – in front of other employees.

The Wonju branch of the Chuncheon District Court in South Korea. Photo: Handout
Middle East

Iranian government expands restrictions on dog walking, pets

Iranian authorities expanded the ban and pet ownership restrictions, citing public health, social order and safety concerns.

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Singapore

‘Symbol of hope’: LGBTQ Singaporeans to seal stories of love inside time capsule

Pink Dot says the time capsule, to be opened in 2050, aims to serve as ‘a reminder of the strength and resilience that comes from love’.

Britain

How this London football club is changing the game

These London footballers are pushing back against casual racism, tokenism and a transgender ban by the FA.

Baes FC players training in Weavers Fields. Photo: Bella Galliano - Hale
Central Asia

Taliban offers amnesty to Afghan refugees, urges them to return home

Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund made the amnesty offer in his message for Eid al-Adha, promising returning Afghans would not be harmed.

A Taliban fighter stops a man carrying a gun to check his documents during the Eid al-Adha prayer in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan’s anti-stalking law under fire after tragic murder, record case numbers

Japan’s stalking cases hit record highs, sparking criticism of police handling and calls for improved mental health support for offenders.

Hong Kong

Femtech top of agenda at women’s health summit in Hong Kong

Two-day symposium to highlight why supporting women’s health is not just a moral obligation but an economic imperative.

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