Women & Gender

bangla lead

In Bangladesh, an app that lets women speak without fear

The app, called Maya, provides a platform where women can freely speak about their emotional, medical, legal, and social needs anonymously, without being judged.

In Bangladesh, an app that lets women speak without fear
Child laborers in the Philippines

These photos of Filipino children working in mines and on sugar plantations will make you cry

These photos of Filipino children working in mines and on sugar plantations will make you cry
Portraits of women around the globe

When a country has problems, women are often the answer

When a country has problems, women are often the answer

In Kurdish Iraq, the fight against ISIS isn't just for men

In Kurdish Iraq, the fight against ISIS isn't just for men
Women sports stadiums Iran

Iranian women fight for the right to attend sports events in their country

Iranian women fight for the right to attend sports events in their country
Red lipstick on lips

Red lipstick is a feminist statement — really

Red lipstick has gone from being a sign of a prostitution to a symbol of patriotism and power in the twentieth century. Author Madeleine Marsh argues that it is all about female strength.

Red lipstick is a feminist statement — really
Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. holds up four fingers to indicate the four Pulitzer Prizes won by the New York Times in 2013 as Executive Editor Jill Abramson looks on.

Did female editors in Paris and New York stumble off the 'glass cliff?'

Female editors of two of the world's leading newspapers — The New York Times and the French daily Le Monde — lost their top jobs on Wednesday. Journalist Rebecca Traister says it may not have been the women, but the troubled times that did them in.

Did female editors in Paris and New York stumble off the 'glass cliff?'
Pakistani author Bina Shah.

Some Pakistani religious leaders are in favor of sex ed, but they're a glaring minority

There are still issues around women's health that aren't discussed in Pakistan, like contraception and abortion. But author Bina Shah says things are changing in her country, for the better.

Some Pakistani religious leaders are in favor of sex ed, but they're a glaring minority
Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and members of his cabinet pose with President Giorgio Napolitano.

Lawmakers in this European country are considering a 'pink quota' to achieve gender parity in politics

There's a country in Europe where a new prime minister has helped put gender parity on the agenda. But the country's female lawmakers want him to go much further.

Lawmakers in this European country are considering a 'pink quota' to achieve gender parity in politics
The World

The Afghans' new-found freedom to shoot photos could disappear again when the US leaves

The Taliban government in Afghanistan brought with it many restrictions, including a ban on taking photographs. That changed with the US invasion in 2001. A new documentary follows four Afghan photojournalists and their hopes and fears as the US prepares to leave the country.

The Afghans' new-found freedom to shoot photos could disappear again when the US leaves
Julie Gayet at Deauville

What the French president's affair and separation say about love, politics and French culture

This weekend, French President François Hollande confirmed that he is separating from his partner Valérie Trierweiler. The French seemed to shrug at the news of Hollande's affair with actress Julie Gayet, seeing love and politics as separate. But France's neighbors and its former colonies don't necessarily agree.

What the French president's affair and separation say about love, politics and French culture

Another gang rape in India, with a complex twist

A woman was sentenced by elders to a public gang rape in her village in the West Bengal area to punish her for an affair. India's Supreme Court is investigating. A signal room in London's Underground gets flooded, with quick-drying cement. And an artist is painting and placing cut-outs of immigrant workers around LA. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.

Another gang rape in India, with a complex twist
One of many ads for plastic surgery in a Seoul subway station.

Why some South Koreans want to look like Barbie — or Warren Buffett

In South Korea, it's not unusual to adjust one's natural beauty with a nose job here, an eye lift there. A survey suggests the country has one of the highest per capita rates of plastic surgery in the world. And women often go for the Barbie look.

Why some South Koreans want to look like Barbie — or Warren Buffett

It's so cold that __________ (fill in the blank)

It's cold. So cold, in fact, that all sorts of seemingly improbable things have become probable, and we share a few of them. Meanwhile, around the world, life goes on. In Turkey, police and politicians are locked in a power struggle. And in Syria, an al-Qaeda affiliate has shocked many with their quick rise to power. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.

It's so cold that __________ (fill in the blank)

Women are finally cleared for flight in Sochi

After a 15-year battle, the women will be taking flight next to the men on the normal ski jump hill at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Women are finally cleared for flight in Sochi