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Women and gender

Thirteen Philippine women, acting as surrogate mothers, could be jailed in Cambodia. Image: Shutterstock

Pregnant Philippine women arrested in Cambodia for surrogacy could be jailed

Cambodian authorities said the women were charged under the country’s laws against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Cambodian authorities said the women were charged under the country’s laws against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Opinion | Hong Kong’s underpaid foreign domestic workers deserve a living wage

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New Zealand slams ‘armchair admirals’ for attacking sunken ship’s woman captain

More than 200 women in legal talks with Harrods over al-Fayed abuse claims

Egyptian billionaire died last year aged 94. New allegations of rape and sexual abuse have emerged after BBC broadcast expose last month.

Harrods department store in London. Photo: Reuters

‘This has to end’: women at Japan’s top university call out gender imbalance

Just one in 10 researchers at the University of Tokyo are women, and one in five students.

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South Korea debates conscripting women to boost low birth rate amid backlash

Kim Hyung-chul, retired air force officer, believes military service would give men and women more opportunities to meet and form relationships.

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Women in Art Fair seeks to reverse centuries of gender imbalance

Coinciding with Frieze Week, the Women in Art Fair 2024 in London is showcasing works by around 150 women and female-identifying artists.

Interrupted Pendulum by Anna Zekavati is among works from around 150 women and female-identifying artists on show at the Women in Art Fair 2024 in London. Photo: Instagram/annazekavati

Hong Kong can be women’s rights role model for rest of world: former diplomat

Fu Ying, China’s former foreign affairs vice-minister, also says women can play greater role in ‘maintaining peace and creating security’.

US Supreme Court upholds ruling barring emergency abortions in Texas

The decision leaves Texas’ strict abortion ban in place, with no exception for the health of the pregnant patient.

China actress goes viral with ‘my uterus is not your business’ response

Qin Lan refuses to take on conventional roles of wife and mother in real life.

Chinese actress Qin Lan has made headlines for her strong stance against conventional roles typically assigned to women. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Being Chinese | From my Chinese Malaysian childhood, a lifelong reality check

A defining childhood moment came when I was warned my identity as a Chinese female would count as ‘two strikes’ against me.

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Children play with firecrackers in a temple ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations outside Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

Explicit video from French mass rape case shown to public at trial

Gisele Pelicot, who was allegedly drugged by her husband so he and many others could assault her, backed the decision to screen the footage.

South African man who raped dozens of women gets 42 life sentences

Nkosinathi Phakathi, 40, targeted schoolgirls and forced children to watch him carry out rapes between 2012 and 2021.

Chappell Roan speaks out against predatory fan behaviour

Singer and Gen Z queer icon Chappell Roan has drawn both plaudits and criticism for her comments on harassment from fans. 

My Take | Death of two Indian women workers underscores need to revamp workplace culture

The deaths highlight a lack of worker safety, fuelling calls for inclusive workplace reforms in India, and addressing low female workforce participation.

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India has a low participation of female workers, with only 37 per cent of women in the workforce according to government data. Photo: Shutterstock

Melania Trump suggests support for abortion rights, in break from husband’s campaign

In a video, the former first lady defended women’s ‘individual freedoms’ to do what they want with their bodies.

Rural Indonesian women condemned for short ‘pleasure marriages’ with tourists

Some of country’s poorest young women have dozens of sex-and-chores-for-cash quickie weddings with rich tourists.

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Sheinbaum sworn in as Mexico’s first female president: ‘It’s time for women’

Promising to boost women’s rights, the leader also sought to reassure investors concerned by the passing of a controversial judicial reform.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum waves at the crowd as she leaves the Congress of the Union after her inauguration ceremony in Mexico City on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Japan sees ‘backslide’ for female representation in new PM Ishiba’s cabinet

Shigeru Ishiba appointed only 2 women to his cabinet, down from 5 previously, highlighting a setback in gender equality efforts.

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At 81, she almost became South Korea’s Miss Universe

Choi Soon-hwa missed out on the crown at the beauty pageant in Seoul on Monday – but did take home the ‘best dresser award’.

Opinion | Will suing the Taliban protect Afghan women? Maybe with China’s help

Taking legal action over gender discrimination in Afghanistan may have limited impact, but Beijing has influence it can use to bring change.

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Burqa-clad women walk with a girl along a street in Fayzabad district, Badakhshan province in Afghanistan on September 22. Photo: AFP

Want gender equality in the workplace? Men must get involved

Actively involving men in crafting solutions for workplace gender equality ultimately benefits everyone, says Men for Inclusion co-founder.

Gender equality for women in the workplace can only be achieved with men’s involvement, says Men for Inclusion co-founder Gary Ford. Photo: Shutterstock

My Take | Al-Fayed should not have been able to get away with what he did

The scale, duration and severity of his abuse defies belief. Now the spotlight of suspicion is falling on alleged enablers and facilitators.

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Opinion | Why China’s women are talking back like never before

A resurgence of content by women for women is a sign that more Chinese females are ready to engage with issues related to their rights.

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Russian MPs back adoption ban on ‘sick’ countries allowing gender reassignment

Moscow has long portrayed itself as a bulwark against liberal values, but that trend has hugely accelerated since the Ukraine war began.

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A man passes by the State Duma building, the lower chamber of Russian parliament in Moscow. Moscow has long portrayed itself as a bulwark against liberal values, but that trend has hugely accelerated since the Ukraine war. Photo: Reuters

End marriages without ‘divorce’? Philippines urged to strike word from bill

Senate President Francis Escudero, who has proposed removing the word, says divorce proceedings should be accessible to all Filipinos.

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Pro-divorce protesters taking part in a demonstration in front of the Philippine Senate building last year. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Hong Kong’s reputation as safe city sets a powerful benchmark

The city’s steadfast commitment to protecting women offers essential lessons for the global community in turbulent times.

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‘Monumental step’ as Thailand makes history with gay marriage law

Thailand’s King signed a same-sex marriage into law, making it the first Southeast Asian country to recognise marriage equality, effective in 120 days.

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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.  
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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