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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.
We explain the reasons behind the distressing Chinese folk custom of Da Sheng in which women faced beatings to exorcise evil spirits and promote fertility. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Explainer | China folk custom beats women to boost fertility, dire results for not conceiving

Ancient ritual saw women beaten with bamboo sticks, brooms, wooden clubs; in variation of tradition, women were held over a fire.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Poppy Liu, who plays Helen on Netflix’s His & Hers

Trending in China

Profile | Zhou Qunfei: ex-security guard becomes world’s richest self-made woman entrepreneur

China education

China tutoring school links civil service exam success to higher bride prices

Wedding betrothal advertisement emblazoned on public bus sparks public anger; officials order institution to stop marketing campaign.

A Chinese tutoring company has sparked outrage with a promotion suggesting that passing civil service exams could boost a woman’s bride price. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Mainland China

Video | Why are women-only communities growing in China?

Economic independence and educational opportunities are enabling women to focus on their own needs, while social media has exposed many to alternative lifestyles.

Trending in China

‘Hold on tight’: China woman wins 22 pig-catching contests, biggest hog weighs 73kg

31-year-old who excelled at tug of war, shot-put in her youth is top exponent of pinning down swine; says technique relies on speed.

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Trending in China

Chinese ex-policewoman ‘Hotpot’ tackles workplace stereotypes in stand-up comedy

36-year-old who learned combat skills from monkeys in her village growing up as a ‘left-behind child’ uses comedy to help women fight abuse.

A former policewoman in China has become a stand-up comedian after quitting her job to care for her parents. Photo: Weibo
Japan

A toil for the toilet: Japan’s PM, women MPs, call for more lavatories

For the 73 women elected in 2024 to parliament’s lower house there is just one toilet, with two cubicles, near the main plenary session hall.

Britain

‘So furious’: UK’s Queen Camilla describes assault by man on train

She responded by removing a shoe and using it to hit her attacker in the genitals.

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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.

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
China’s C919 passenger plane

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

Promotion of former Boeing 737 pilot Yu Yue, who holds a ‘zero error’ record, called an inspiration to women across the nation.

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Yu Yue has been appointed as the first female captain pilot of the C919. Photo: China Southern Airlines
Science

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

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

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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.

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.

A former art director, who became China’s first woman contestant in a world slapping competition, says it helps her to confront fears. Photo: Douyin.QQ.com
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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The Supreme People’s Court highlighted five cases as examples of “promoting core socialist values”. Photo: Shutterstock Images
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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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.

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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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Tricia Yap, a former professional MMA fighter, is the founder of Limitless Health and now focuses on holistic health and fitness for women. Photo: Sun Yeung
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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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.

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.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum waves to supporters in the Zocalo main square on her inauguration day. Photo: AP
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.

After retiring at 50, Guan Yuxiang, acclaimed as China’s “Drink Can Queen,” reinvented her career from a factory worker to a highly successful entrepreneur. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/orgtech.cn
Gender

Looking back on 2025

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.

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.

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol in Washington last month. Photo: TNS
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’.

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.

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