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Gender

Gender
The latest gender news and features, with a millennial focus, including gender identity, gender issues, discrimination, equality and inequality, and equal rights.
LGBTQ couples take part in a ceremony in Hong Kong in 2024 that is performed online by a pastor from the US. The Hong Kong government is proposing legislation to recognise some rights of same-sex couples who registered their union abroad. Photo: AFP
LGBTQ

Letters | Hong Kong’s necessary step forward on same-sex partnerships

Readers discuss the government’s proposal to recognise same-sex partnerships, and international standards for same-sex policy.

Trending in China

China TV host faces criticism for serving men drumsticks, women wings, exposes bias

The Philippines

‘A national crisis’: why Philippines is still struggling to legalise divorce

Wellness

From 0 to 300km in 1 year. How this non-runner conquered ultra-marathons

Hongkonger Vriko Kwok’s journey to ultra athlete is among stories in a new book that shows how female-specific training can help them excel.

Hongkonger Vriko Kwok (centre) takes part in Lululemon’s six-day ultra-marathon event “Further” with other runners in California in March 2024. Photo: Instagram/lululemon
United States

US Wisconsin court strikes down state’s 19th century abortion ban

The ruling leaves in place a 2015 Wisconsin law that bans abortion after 20 weeks.

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HKEX

Hong Kong’s all-male boards are all but gone as firms embrace diversity

More than 800 women have been added as directors since 2022, when 40 per cent of boards were male only, according to HKEX.

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India

Alleged rape of Kolkata student sparks debate over women’s safety in India

Analysts urge a more proactive response to ensuring women’s safety and not allow politics to overshadow the crime.

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Law students shout slogans as they take part in a protest march on Monday after a 24-year-old law student was allegedly raped on the campus of South Calcutta Law College on June 25. Photo: EPA
Women and gender

Hong Kong district councillor’s pageant bid sparks criticism

Israel-Iran conflict

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

The lawyer, who is known for her work defending human rights, thinks Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be toppled in a peaceful revolution.

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LGBTQ in China

China’s LGBT creators face growing online censorship

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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Zhenhao Zou, who was convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China. Photo: Metropolitan Police via Reuters
Japan

Young Japanese women twice as likely to take extended sick leave as men: study

Mental health conditions and pregnancy-related complications are the most cited reasons for being absent for over a month, survey shows.

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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.

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
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.

The headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, in London. File photo: AP
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.

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.

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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
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’.

Viral stories

Japan ‘cutest’ Lolita character is singing dad, says girly look makes music softer

Petite former rock singer ditches masculine persona, finds he can express emotion, has found ‘real confidence’.

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
United States

US Supreme Court sides with woman alleging work bias because she is straight

The decision to revive Marlean Ames’ lawsuit makes it easier for people from majority backgrounds to pursue ‘reverse discrimination’ cases.

Marlean Ames sits for a portrait in the office of Edward Gilbert, her lawyer, in Akron, Ohio, in February. Photo: Reuters
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
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

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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Boxing

Olympic champ Khelif must undergo genetic sex screening under new boxing body

World Boxing specifically mentions Algerian gold medallist when it announces the new rule for all boxers taking part in its upcoming events.

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