Gender
New Cate Blanchett film 'Tár' divides opinion among female conductors
“Tár,” about a virtuoso female conductor, has shone a spotlight on the continuing dearth of women leading major orchestras worldwide.
Cuba to allow women boxers to compete after decades of restrictions
Taiwan celebrates LGBTQ pride as activists push for further progress
'We are erased': The fight to reopen girls secondary schools in Afghanistan continues
Needle-spiking trend in Europe alarms nightclubbers — especially women
These women are trying to preserve an ancient Chinese language invented as a secret code
Hundreds of years ago, women in China weren’t allowed an education and spent their days locked in rooms, embroidering and making crafts. They came up with a new language that men couldn't understand — Nüshu — and wrote it onto handmade fans to communicate with each other. A filmmaker is now trying to raise awareness to preserve it before it is lost.
Poland’s ‘pregnancy registry’ will further restrict abortion access, activists say
The Polish government says it is establishing a national medical database, following a directive from the EU Commission, promising to ensure the protection of people's privacy. But in a country with a near-total abortion ban, rights activists are not so convinced.
'We are demanding full decriminalization': Sex workers in India rally for labor rights
Sex work is technically legal in India, but workers say they face stigma, harassment and violence — especially by the police. In recent years, sex worker collectives have formed to demand full decriminalization of sex work and recognition of their labor as worthy of protections and rights.
India's abortion law still lacks a rights-based approach, gynecologist says
India's abortion law is progressive, but it is also problematic, says Dr. Suchitra Dalvie, a practicing gynecologist in Mumbai, India. The co-founder and coordinator of the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership unpacked the law and recent amendments to it with The World's reporter Chhavi Sachdev.
Ukraine’s LGBTQ community finds refuge in Berlin
At least 10 Berlin organizations are working together to provide new arrivals with information on where to access LGBTQ-friendly accommodation, legal advice and health care.
This Polish activist sent abortion pills to a woman in need. Now she's on trial.
An abortion-rights activist charged with breaking Poland’s strict abortion laws goes on trial in Warsaw next week. The case is the first of its kind in Europe.
The art of the con: ‘Inventing Anna,’ ‘The Tinder Swindler’ and gender
What is it about Anna Delvey and Simon Leviev and how do gender and gender relations play a role in their schemes?
Catalonia pardons women accused of witchcraft 400 years ago
Witch hunts relied heavily on accusations from neighbors who were desperate for scapegoats whenever bad luck struck the town — such as crop failures, sudden diseases or natural disasters.
Discussion: The pandemic, women's health and pregnancy
The coronavirus has affected women in various ways, including physically and socially. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Ana Langer, Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Director of the Women and Health Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health about the pandemic-related challenges affecting women in particular.
An upcoming vaccine drive in Afghanistan is an ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to eradicate polio, UN official says
UNICEF and the World Health Organization reached an agreement with the Taliban allowing the vaccinations to resume and permitting Afghan women vaccine workers to take part in the drives as well.