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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 woman in China has been mocked after she expressed shock on finding a male therapist at her spa appointment. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
Trending in China

China woman shocked to see male therapist at spa appointment; mocked for ‘ignorance’

Undressed client balks on hearing voice of masseur; spa boss tells her ‘she is old enough to be his mum’ so he would not be ‘interested’ in her.

China’s C919 passenger plane

Soaring to the top: China appoints first female captain for C919 flights

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Science

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

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Britain

Russell Brand charged with new counts of rape, sexual assault in UK

The new charges relate to ⁠two women and follow five charges made in April involving four other women.

Russell Brand speaking at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025, on December 18 in Phoenix. Photo: AP
Trending in China

Ex-painter is first China woman in world slap contest, says helps to confront fears

Ding leaves a thriving career in gaming industry as art director with an annual salary of US$43,000.

Mainland China

China’s top court sends message to employers on sexual harassment

Supreme People’s Court highlights ruling that a restaurant did not have to pay compensation to a worker dismissed for harassing colleague.

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Japan

More Japanese favour having an empress as Princess Aiko’s public appeal rises

Japan’s conservative politicians are against changing the centuries-old tradition of a male heir for the throne.

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Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo to greet former emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko on her 24th birthday on December 1. Photo: Kyodo
Artificial intelligence

Video | Japanese woman marries AI partner

Woman says she developed feelings for and decided to marry a chatbot she created and calibrated following her break-up with a human fiancé.

Wellness

Why Hong Kong’s first pro female MMA fighter now battles for women’s health

Wellness entrepreneur Tricia Yap is helping reshape women’s health by focusing on areas like precision training and lifestyle medicine.

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Russia

Pussy Riot punk protest group declared ‘extremist’ by Russian court

The ruling outlaws the feminist group from operating in Russia and puts anyone linked with them at risk of prosecution.

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Pussy Riot members perform in Cambridge in Britain in November 2022. Photo: Reuters
Iran

No contact with Iran Nobel winner laureate arrest, supporters say

Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Peace Prize laureate, was detained on Friday alongside dozens of activists and may face national security charges.

Nobel Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was arrested in Iran. Photo: Narges Mohammad Foundation via AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

How Mexico’s Sheinbaum weaves generations of tradition into her signature style

The colourful embroidered dresses and blouses have become a wardrobe staple for Mexico’s ‘most stylish’ president.

Trending in China

Profile | From China factory worker to US$1.4 billion entrepreneur, Guan Yuxiang defies age

Following setback of first factory venture, Guan embraces failures as crucial stepping stones on her path to success.

Siobhan Haughey

How to succeed? Siobhan Haughey and other Hong Kong women trailblazers open up

Olympian Siobhan Haughey, businesswoman Joanna Hotung and education advocate Vivian Chung discuss female leadership and youth empowerment.

Hong Kong Olympian swimmer Siobhan Haughey chats with students at the “Empower through Reading” talk on December 7. Photo: Chanel
Trending in China

Privacy row as women in China community chat group required to share menstrual dates

Anger after village doctor asks for period dates, phone numbers; online critics slam move, ask if next step is ‘forced fertilisation’.

Women in a community chat group in China have been required to share the dates of their menstrual period sparking privacy concerns. Photo: Shutterstock
United States

Epstein files to be unsealed under new Trump-signed law

The transcripts to be unsealed could reveal new details in the sex trafficking case and Ghislaine Maxwell’s role.

Gender

Malaysian woman in skirt forced to buy trousers to enter police station

A minister has urged a review of guidelines on attire following the incident, saying ‘people don’t dress up in anticipation of crime’.

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Trending in China

China poet gains attention for ‘happy’ response to menopause, writes poem on topic

Celebrated writer who was born with cerebral palsy cuts a controversial figure with her openness about the sexual desires of women.

Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua has attracted attention for her humorous responses on social media to questions about the menopause. Photo: Weibo/RedNote
Nepal

‘Like a market’: Chinese marriage brokers hunt for brides in Nepal

China’s bachelor crisis meets Nepal’s poverty in a trade that blurs the lines between arranged marriage and coercion.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Noble Panacea has landed in Hong Kong – meet CEO Céline Talabaza

The brand recently opened a flagship counter at Hong Kong’s Lane Crawford and launched the groundbreaking Absolute Peptide8 Night Serum.

Mainland China

‘Virginity battle’: Chinese women caught between old and new sexual values

Research by Liu Jieyu examining three generations in China finds traditional ideas still play a key role in sexual relations and family life.

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A couple poses for wedding photos outside the Forbidden City in Beijing, China on February 11. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

Explainer | Why Chinese believe morally, ‘it’s better to marry a widow than a divorced woman’

Ancient beliefs dictated strict standards for women when it came to obeying men, speaking properly, physical appearance, domestic skills.

We explain why the old Chinese saying “It’s better to marry a widow than a divorced woman,” reflects ancient views on women’s morality. Photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

Why more women are embracing combat roles in Ukraine’s military

Equipment such as drones has opened up new paths for women and helped them overcome resistance in the military.

Lunar

Hong Kong’s domestic helpers mourn deaths in Tai Po fire

Japan

Japan weighs plan to punish sex buyers, but will it be enough?

Experts warn the sex industry will find ways to circumvent new rules and the problem needs to be tackled from various angles simultaneously.

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People walk past an entrance gate of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red-light district, in Shinjuku, Japan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Trending in China

China clothing brand slammed for laundry tag, ‘please give it to your beloved woman’

‘Inappropriate’ expression on tag not intended to ‘insult’ women, say firm as some online observers call upon ‘sisters’ to boycott company.

A men’s clothing brand in China has faced criticism over a “sexist” laundry care tag that reads “please give it to your beloved woman, she knows everything”. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
My Life

The Peninsula’s first female GM on burnout and the joy of reinvention

A colleague once told her she’d never make it at The Peninsula, ‘an old boys’ club’ – now she’s executive director of Hong Kong Design Centre, which runs Business of Design Week.

Japan

Pop-star princess: Japan’s Aiko turns 24 amid calls for her to become empress

The princess’ supporters want Japan to change its male-only succession law but an academic says that is unlikely in the conservative country.

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