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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.

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

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.

20 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

Artificial intelligence

Video | Japanese woman marries AI partner

17 Dec 2025 - 6:47PM

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

18 Dec 2025 - 12:50PMvideocam

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.

15 Dec 2025 - 11:30PMvideocam

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

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.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:06AM

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.

13 Dec 2025 - 1:46PM

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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.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM

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

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.

12 Dec 2025 - 9:20AM

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’.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM

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.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:47AM

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

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’.

10 Dec 2025 - 10:24AM

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.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM

‘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.

9 Dec 2025 - 2:36PM

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.

9 Dec 2025 - 11:59AM

Noble Panacea is making waves with its new Absolute Peptide8 Night Serum. Photo: Handout

‘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.

7 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

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.

9 Dec 2025 - 9:56AM

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.

6 Dec 2025 - 5:40PM

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

11 Dec 2025 - 7:57PM

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

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.

5 Dec 2025 - 7:08PMvideocam

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.

2 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM

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.

9 Dec 2025 - 4:46PM

Rainy Chan has been executive director at Hong Kong Design Centre for almost a year. Photo: Alexander Mak

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.

1 Dec 2025 - 10:46AMvideocam

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

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.

29 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

Hong Kong’s first home-grown female captain

4 Dec 2025 - 10:33PM

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.

26 Nov 2025 - 5:22PMvideocam

Transgender Thai business tycoon Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip poses for a photo after a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2022. Photo: AP

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’.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:15PM

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

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.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:51PMvideocam

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.

25 Nov 2025 - 12:45PM

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