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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.
An Iranian carries a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-Israeli rally in Tehran on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP
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

Britain

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

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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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Mental illness is one of the reasons women in their twenties in Japan are calling in sick for extended periods. Photo: Shutterstock
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Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.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.

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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.

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.

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’.

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
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.

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.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her government would start talks with universities to have full-face veils removed. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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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

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.

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.

Russell Brand arrives at Southwark Crown Court to enter his plea on charges of rape and sexual assault in London on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
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 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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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.

Andrew Tate at a police station in Voluntari, Romania, last week. Photo: AP
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.

A group of alleged victims, members of women’s collectives, NGOs and unions gather in front of the courthouse on Wednesday, the day of the verdict of ex-surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec who was charged with the aggravated rape and sexual assault against hundreds of children over several decades, in Vannes, France. Photo: Reuters
New Zealand

New Zealand’s rainbow capital sees rise in anti-LGBTQ hate

LGBTQ activists and residents report a disturbing shift in Wellington’s once-accepting atmosphere.

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Southeast Asia

The Malaysian woman on a historic motorbike quest

Anita Yusof is aiming to be the first Malaysian woman to conquer all seven continents on a motorbike.

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