Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

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

Malaysia

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

Sexual harassment and assault

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

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.

videocam
25
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.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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

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.

Meet Zheng Yuxiu, the “xia nu” of modern China, a term for a fearless woman who fights for justice. Photo: Wikipedia
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

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.

A woman is accompanied by her parents on her way to sit China’s national college entrance examination. Many women take contraceptives to delay their periods at this crucial time. Photo: Reuters
Nasa

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew

Critics fear the agency is following Trump’s order to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts despite its vow to put a woman on the moon.

The Artemis III crew (from left) Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, pose for an official portrait. Photo: Nasa via AP
Pakistan

Acid attack on female doctor forces Pakistani women to reconsider medicine

The attack on Mahnoor Nasir at her hospital has shown the risk of violence and social disparities women face in Pakistan.

videocam
France

Formidable French first lady Bernadette Chirac dies at 93

She weathered husband Jacques Chirac’s notorious womanising and became a political power in her own right.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Gender

Pride Month 2026 marked by backslide in LGBTQ rights

Pride Month 2026 marked by backslide in LGBTQ rights
Obituaries

‘Persepolis’ author Marjane Satrapi dies ‘of sadness’ aged 56

The renowned graphic novel and film adaptation recount her early life and struggles in the shadow of the 1979 Iranian revolution.

videocam
South Korea

Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in sex work

The faculty member was barred from teaching classes, providing academic counselling and performing other student guidance duties.

Gender

Hong Kong’s first female astronaut heads for the stars

Hong Kong’s first female astronaut heads for the stars
Art

The female gaze: meet the wealthy women reshaping the art market

Women are outspending men on art and championing more female artists – with collectors from mainland China leading the charge.

Hyung Koo-kang’s Blue Woman, at the first Art Basel Hong Kong in 2013. Photo: Sam Tsang
Crime

Swedish prosecutor urges prison for man who prostituted wife to dozens of men

State demands 10-year sentence for aggravated pimping and rape as defence maintains denial.

TV shows and streaming video

‘It’s a Geena-sance’: Geena Davis on Netflix’s The Boroughs and Coachella skit

The Thelma & Louise star shares her delight in returning as a bellicose retiree in Netflix’s new sci-fi as she reflects on an iconic career.

videocam
Trending in China

2 notable women in ancient China broke barriers in fields of medicine, science

Breakthrough by woman pioneer led to jail, execution for son who agreed with her decision to dissect her dead husband.

In ancient China, societal norms dictated that women should remain outside the sphere of knowledge. However, two remarkable women challenged these boundaries. Photo: Handout
Gender

Chinese drug-rape network shocks Germany

Chinese drug-rape network shocks Germany
Afghanistan

New Taliban law in Afghanistan implies that child marriage is permitted, UN says

UN says the new family code tacitly permits union with minors, despite Kabul claiming forced weddings are banned.

Pakistan

Video | Killer of Pakistani TikTok teen star sentenced to death

The 22-year-old man shot 17-year-old influencer Sana Yousaf at her home in Islamabad after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement