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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 wheels a child in a pram in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 13. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong must tackle the challenges of a super-aged society head on

With both Hong Kong and mainland China unlikely to be able to reverse the decline in birth rates, investing effectively in human capital is crucial.

Spain

‘Slavery’: Spanish police free 15 Chinese women forced into prostitution

Indonesia

Groomed at 15: Indonesian actress lays bare her stolen youth in viral memoir

Lunar

Heated Rivalry takes world by storm

Heated Rivalry takes world by storm
Japan

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure is striking and a reminder that women are not the only targets of molestation on public transport.

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China society

Opinion | In China, the pressure on women to marry is deadly serious

Wedding-day death of Henan teacher highlights desperation of young women caught between modern hopes and traditional expectations.

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South Korea

Why South Korea’s flight attendants are forced to brave bitter cold in uniforms

Flight attendants commute in uniform due to lack of changing rooms at Incheon Airport as labour groups fight for better conditions.

Flight attendants of Asiana Airlines (left) and Korean Air pose at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2 in South Korea. Photo: The Korea Times
Sexual harassment and assault

Hong Kong looks to reform sexual offence laws

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

After studying theatre and women’s studies at university, they started a sex-positive production company and acted in shows like Better Call Saul – they’re also a trained doula.

Poppy Liu in front of a poster for the Hulu show Deli Boys in 2025. Photo: @poppyliu/Instagram
Trending in China

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

Woman who began life in destitution goes from factory floor to US$16 billion fortune; says success comes from ‘refusal to accept defeat’.

Zhou Qunfei, the daughter of a poor village family in China with only a college diploma, began her career as a factory security guard and is now one of the country’s richest entrepreneurs. Photo: SCMP composite/guancha.cn/Lens Technology
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.

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.

A woman in rural China has won 22 pigs in 26 pig-catching contests over the past year, the heaviest of them weighing in at 73kg. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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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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.

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.

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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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.

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.
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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.

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