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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.
Yurina Noguchi, 32, holds a basket with her smartphone displaying an AI-generated image of Klaus, her AI partner, and a wedding ring for him, poses for a photo with staff after her ceremonial wedding at the Magritte wedding venue in Okayama, Japan, October 27, 2025. "My relationship with AI is not a 'convenient relationship that requires no patience'," Noguchi said. "I chose Klaus, not as a partner that would help me escape reality, but as someone to support me as I live my life properly." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "JAPAN KYUNG-HOON AI WEDDING" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.
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

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Russia

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

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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.

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.

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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’.

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’.

A Malaysian woman with a skirt that was above knee-length was not allowed to enter a police station in Melaka. She was forced to buy trousers at a nearby shop. Photo: The Star
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

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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.

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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Princess Aiko, daughter of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, poses for a photo at the Imperial Palace on November 7. Photo: Imperial Household Agency of Japan/AP
China society

Being Chinese | Why Chinese women like me are done being quiet and ‘appropriate’

Chinese women are praised for gentleness. Our tone must please; our anger must be graceful. But a new generation is speaking out.

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Young women go through etiquette training at a vocational school in Beijing in 2007, ahead of the 2008 Olympics. Photo: Reuters
Lunar

Hong Kong’s first home-grown female captain

Thailand

Miss Universe co-owner faces arrest in Thailand over fraud allegations

Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is wanted for US$930,000 fraud, capping a week of contest scandals and rigging allegations.

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Fashion

Women’s fashion has a sizing problem, says this designer who’s out to fix it

Edeline Lee, who has dressed Kate Middleton, says women don’t fit into five sizes and suggesting they do ‘doesn’t help with insecurities’.

A model walks the runway at Edeline Lee’s show during London Fashion Week 2025. Major cultural figures have worn the British-Canadian fashion designer’s work. Photo: dpa
Thailand

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

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Thai businesswoman Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip during the Miss Universe competition in New Orleans in 2023. She stepped down from the Miss Universe Organisation in October. Photo: AFP
LGBTQ

Hong Kong pop-up Queer Room gives ‘alternative individuals’ a place to connect

Until December 14, the inclusive Sheung Wan space welcomes guests with LGBTQ literature and group talks. Here are some of its coming events.

Human rights

Opinion | Together, we can move closer to eliminating violence against women

No jurisdiction is spared from gender-based violence. Thus international cooperation is essential to build momentum and find solutions.

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