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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.
Former US film producer Harvey Weinstein appears at Manhattan Criminal Court for his retrial on rape and sexual assault charges in New York on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Harvey Weinstein

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

Judge ended trial after jury foreperson refused to deliberate for a sixth day, following multiple days of reported dissension among jurors.

Sexual harassment and assault

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

Japan

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

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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.

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’.

A Pride T-shirt submitted to the time capsule project organised by Singapore’s LGBTQ non-profit Pink Dot to mark its annual pride event on June 28. Photo: Pink Dot
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.

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.

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.

Japan has seen a rise in stalking cases. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

Anca Griffiths is co-founder of Women’s Health in Focus: A Global Summit, taking place on June 16 and 17. Photo: Handout
Nordic nations

Denmark aims to extend ban on full-face veils to schools, universities

In August 2018, Denmark banned the wearing of full-face Islamic veils like the burka and niqab in public places.

Vietnam

Facing gender ratio crisis, Vietnam proposes tougher laws on sex selection

Officials warn Vietnam could have 1.5 million more men than women by 2034 without action.

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Indonesia

Indonesia publicly canes couple for sex outside marriage

The man and woman were each lashed 100 times in the conservative Aceh province where the Islamic legal code is enforced.

An man receives up to 100 lashes of caning in public, for adultery and breaking Sharia law, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on Wednesday. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that enforces the Sharia law. Photo: EPA-EFE
Pakistan

Teen TikTok star shot dead by stalker in Pakistan

A 22-year-old who spent hours loitering outside Sana Yousaf’s home has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Sana Yousaf, who turned 17 last week and had more than 1 million followers across her social media accounts, was killed at her home in Islamabad. Photo: Instagram/sanayousaf22
Vietnam

Vietnam scraps 2-child policy to tackle shrinking birth rate

The nation’s birth rate sunk to a record low in December. Previous laws allowed only one or two children per family, except in special cases.

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Japan

‘We won’t tolerate it’: Japan’s maid cafe staff join fight against groping

Tokyo police have launched an anti-‘chikan’ campaign, introducing a new safety app and intensifying patrols to curb unwanted sexual advances.

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Singapore

‘Mark him for life’: Singapore teen’s parents want Ian Fang caned for offences

Victim’s parents say they also intend to sue China-born actor, who was convicted of having underage sex with their daughter.

Former actor Ian Fang was sentenced to 40 months’ jail on May 19 after pleading guilty to sexual offences involving a minor. Photo: Facebook/RealAllanFang
Thailand

Meet Thailand’s first-ever Miss World: Suchata Chuangsri

The 22-year-old Phuket native – who speaks Mandarin, English and Thai – plans to use her new platform to champion breast cancer awareness.

Thailand

Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in ‘more inclusive’ Thailand

In 1997, China decriminalised homosexuality, but same-sex marriage remains illegal, and does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad.

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Iran

Shakespeare’s King Lear with rock music in Iranian director’s update

Music from Muse and Rammstein and a light show feature in Elika Abdolrazzaghi’s staging of the play. She’s aiming it at a younger audience.

An actress performs during a presentation of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, directed by Iranian actress and director Elika Abdolrazzaghi, at Tehran’s Shahr Theatre, on May 21, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
France

Abortion pill inventor Etienne-Emile Baulieu dies aged 98

The French scientist helped create mifepristone, which provided a safe and inexpensive alternative to surgical abortion for millions.

French biochemist Etienne-Emile Baulieu poses in his office at the Kremlin-Bicetre hospital outside Paris in March 2023. Photo: AFP
Britain

Comedian Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault

Brand, the ex-husband of US pop singer Katy Perry, pleaded not guilty to charges relating to 4 women over 20 years ago.

South Korea

South Korean election video pulled after public outcry over misogyny

Local authorities in Gyeongsan issued an apology for a video that showed a male supervisor assaulting a female employee and subsequently removed the clip.

South Korea

South Korea’s voting booth gender gap

South Korea’s upcoming elections contain a glaring absence in both the voting booth and in policy.

South Korea’s voting booth gender gap
South Korea

South Korean presidential candidate sorry for misogynistic remark at TV debate

Lee Jun-seok of Reform Party drew widespread backlash for asking whether sticking chopsticks in women’s genitals was misogyny.

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South Korea’s presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok speaks during an election campaign event in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Sexual harassment and assault

Andrew and Tristan Tate face rape and trafficking charges in UK

The influencer brothers are also facing charges in Romania, and will be extradited to the UK after their case there is concluded.

France

France sentences retired surgeon to 20 years’ jail for raping his patients

Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, stood accused of aggravated rape or sexual assault against 299 victims, many of them children at the time.

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