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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 screengrab from tthe National Police Agency’s ‘Knock Knock’ campaign. Photo: Youtube/Korean National Police Agency
South Korea

Quick-thinking South Korean police rescue woman after silent 112 call for help

The wordless phone call received a rapid police response thanks to Senior Patrol Officer Kim Hye-jin’s instincts and training.

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Singapore general election 2025

Singapore’s PAP boosts diversity with record female candidates for election

Japan

Biting, kicking, sex harassment: inside the abusive world of Japanese nursing

Britain

Women’s toilets are not for trans women, UK equality watchdog says

Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance after ruling this month that a woman is legally defined based on sex at birth.

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Britain’s equality watchdog says transgender women should not be allowed to use women’s toilets. Photo: Shutterstock Images
The Philippines

Remembering Nora Aunor: actress, ‘rebel’ and the Philippines’ ‘Superstar’

Filipino screenwriter Ricardo Lee pays tribute to Aunor, who spent her career fighting stereotypes and giving voice to the marginalised.

United States

Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew’s accuser in Epstein scandal, dies at 41

Mother-of-three Giuffre, a key figure in Jeffrey Epstein’s downfall, took her own life at her farm in Australia ‘after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking’.

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Japan

‘Have to change:’ Japanese firms reshape work culture to close gender pay gap

Japan’s finance sector is shaking up workplace gender equality, as top firms are axing clerical roles mainly held by women, aiming to close the gender pay gap.

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Japan’s financial firms are merging job categories to boost women’s career prospects. Photo: Shutterstock
New Zealand

New Zealand party pushes for ‘biological’ definition of men, women

The populist New Zealand First Party, which forms part of the country’s governing coalition, introduced the bill to parliament on Tuesday.

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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

Victims lament a lack of police help to resolve their cases, while sex educators call for a change in gender attitudes to tackle the scourge.

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Activists wearing masks protest against deepfake porn in Seoul last year. The poster reads: “Repeated deepfake sex crimes, the state is an accomplice too”. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

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

A new service called ‘cos commissioning’ has emerged in China where mobile romance games have become more popular.

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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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Lunar

All-female space flight sparks discussion

Blue Origin’s recent all-female space flight has sparked a complex discussion on gender and accessibility.

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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Office workers crossing a busy road in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee
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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Activists celebrate after hearing the outcome of the Supreme Court’s ruling on how to define a “woman”, in London on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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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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.

A New York jury has awarded US$1.68 billion to 40 women who accused Hollywood veteran James Toback of sexual abuse over a span of 35 years. Photo: TNS
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.

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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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.

A surge in sex cases involving minors in Malaysia has led to child rights activists warning about grooming and abuse. Photo: Shutterstock
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 Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, has taken steps to stop illegal filming in public restrooms. Shutterstock Images
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.

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.

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.

Photo: AFP
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.

Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. The Netflix limited series introduced viewers to the language of contemporary toxic masculinity. Photo: courtesy of Netflix
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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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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