News

Meghan Markle to help vulnerable women 'reach for the stars'

Emma Batha, Reuters
Posted at Jan 11 05:42 AM

LONDON - A British charity transforming the lives of some of the country's most vulnerable women said on Thursday Meghan Markle would help them "reach for the stars" as it announced she had become a patron. Read more »

Philippines is world's 8th best in gender equality, top in Asia: report

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Dec 19 04:54 PM

Manila ranked 8th in this year's Global Gender Gap report, higher by 2 notches from last year's ranking. Read more »

Gender equality at work more than 200 years off: WEF

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Dec 18 08:24 AM

Women may be shouting louder than ever for equal treatment and pay, but a report out Tuesday indicates it will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe.  Read more »

Hong Kong rejects motion to consider same-sex unions

Rachel Savage, Reuters
Posted at Nov 23 07:56 AM

Hong Kong's parliament rejected a motion that could have paved the way to legalizing same-sex unions on Thursday, in a region where no country allows gay or lesbian couples to marry. Read more »

India's flashpoint temple, off limits to women

Bhuvan Bagga, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 18 08:41 AM

The stage is set for a fresh showdown in India with traditionalists aiming to prevent women from gaining entry to the Sabarimala temple, one of Hinduism's holiest sites.  Read more »

Businesses bank on women for financial and social gains

Lin Taylor, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Posted at Nov 01 08:19 AM

Female entrepreneurs often face more obstacles than men, including a lack of access to finance, business networks, international markets and role models. Read more »

Duterte didn’t mean to offend with 'spit' remark - Palace

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 29 05:24 PM

MANILA - Malacañang on Monday maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte respects women after the chief executive drew flak for his “spit” remark. Read more »

In the fast lane: Female motortaxi drivers on the rise in Bangkok

Thanaporn Promyamyai, Dene-Hern Chen
Posted at Oct 28 11:34 AM

Although no official figures are available, observers say more women are choosing to brave the risky traffic-logged roads and discrimination for the flexible work schedule, which allows them ownership over their lives. Read more »

Vatican meeting ends with call for greater role for women in Church

Philip Pullella, Reuters
Updated as of Oct 28 05:58 PM

The role of women took center stage at the synod, which was focused on reaching out to young people but has been overshadowed by the scandal over sex abuse in the Church and acrimony between social conservatives and reformers. Read more »

Why gender reveal parties are obnoxious and should be obsolete

Celine Lopez
Updated as of Oct 27 02:12 PM

It’s 2018 and gender’s a fluid thing. But gender parties insist otherwise—and oh boy are the kids in trouble. Read more »

Japan probe finds more universities discriminated against women

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Oct 23 05:06 PM

TOKYO - A Japanese government probe has uncovered more cases of universities discriminating against female applicants in an investigation prompted by a scandal at a Tokyo medical school.   Read more »

Trump says transgender policy seeks to 'protect the country'

Gabriella Borter and Barbara Goldberg, Reuters
Posted at Oct 23 08:02 AM

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that transgender issues were in flux and he aims to protect the country after a report that his administration was considering defining gender as male or female based on genitalia at birth drew widespread condemnation.   Read more »

Amazon scraps secret AI recruiting tool that showed bias against women

Jeffrey Dastin, Reuters
Posted at Oct 11 09:02 AM

The team had been building computer programs since 2014 to review job applicants' resumes with the aim of mechanizing the search for top talent, 5 people familiar with the effort told Reuters. Read more »

Barbie deployed to close 'Dream Gap' for young girls

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Oct 10 07:49 AM

Over the years, Barbie has taken on many roles: beach beauty, scientist, even president of the United States. And now, she will work to help young girls close the so-called "Dream Gap." Read more »

US advertising firms grapple with 'Me Too'

John Biers, Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Oct 07 12:05 PM

Some of corporate America's dirty secrets were aired this week at a conference that overlapped the anniversary of the "Me Too" movement and the contentious debate over Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed as the latest Supreme Court justice on Saturday.  Read more »

Fears linked to the Expanded Maternity Bill 'unfounded': advocates

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 05 10:20 PM

MANILA - Fears linked to the pending extended maternity bill are "unfounded" since competency has always been the basis of hiring workers, a legislator said Friday after businessmen claimed that additional benefits could hurt women's chance of getting hired. Read more »

Expanded maternity leave may affect students, private schools say

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 04 11:56 PM

Concerns are hounding the proposed expanded maternity leave, with an employers group saying companies could choose to hire more men instead of women once the bill becomes a law. Read more »

#MeToo sharply polarizing US, one year on

Catherine Triomphe, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Oct 04 12:01 PM

The #MeToo movement in one year has shaken the United States, brought down dozens of powerful men and threatens the confirmation of a Supreme Court judge, yet it has also become deeply polarizing and its long-term impact remains unclear. Read more »

Gabriela blasts Bertiz: 'It's your arrogance, not our menstrual period'

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 01 09:18 PM

MANILA - Gabriela Women's Party blasted ACTS OFW party-list Rep. John Bertiz for blaming his "monthly period" for how he acted in his much-publicized security row with an airport personnel. Read more »

With books and jewels, drag queens teach children tolerance

Umberto Bacchi, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Posted at Oct 01 08:37 AM

Thirty cross-dressing male performers are touring British schools as part of Drag Queen Story Time, telling stories that spread a message of self-acceptance to promote diversity in early education. Read more »