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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.
A combination of images from a video by Korea University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering shows a university student chasing random girls to “help them get home safely”. Photo: Handout
South Korea

In South Korea, videos aiming to ‘help women get home safely’ spark outrage

Netizens slam the videos for mocking the fear and panic that women feel when approached or followed by unknown men at night.

South Korea

‘The law didn’t protect me’: South Korea’s losing battle against AI sex crimes

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Trending in China

Video | The young Chinese women hiring cosplayers so they can date their virtual lovers

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Japan

In Japan, ‘friendship marriages’ provide partnership outside societal norms

More couples are choosing such an option despite it contradicting their sexual orientation, citing reasons such as social security benefits.

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A growing number of people in Japan are choosing a life partner with whom they have no romantic feelings or sexual desire. Photo: Shutterstock
Banking & finance

Global banks make big progress in gender balance amid anti-DEI steps, report says

Average score rose to 42 this year from 37 in 2024, with commercial banks leading the charge in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

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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

Japan’s birth rate is among the lowest in the world, a trend which has meant a shrinking workforce, fewer consumers, and businesses fighting to recruit workers.

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Japan is battling a record population decline, with birth rates at an all-time low, impacting workforce and economy. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

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

Opposition voters are divided over ex-state auditor Heidi Mendoza’s conservative stance on same-sex marriage.

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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.

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.

Philippine politician’s remarks spark misogyny row
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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An Afghan street barber trims the mustauche of a customer in Kabul. Photo: AP
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.

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.

Christian Sia at a campaign rally. Photo: Facebook/Christian “Ian” Sia
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.

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.

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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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A woman finds a use for a bus stop railing while running an errand in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on October 20. Photo: Eugene Lee
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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Lunar

A golden age for women?

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

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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A woman in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan. Abusive messages targeting women who speak out are alarmingly frequent occurrences, says Chisato Kitanaka, an associate professor of sociology at Hiroshima University. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
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.

Facial hair on women has been a largely unspoken issue, but that is changing. Photo: Trunk Archive
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.

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.

An Iranian woman without a mandatory hijab flashes a victory sign as she walks at the old main bazaar of Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2024. Photo: AP
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.

Singapore

Singapore lawyer embroiled in ‘victim shaming’ saga

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