Women's rights and gender equality Archives

First female judge nominated for Pakistan’s supreme court

Move to appoint Justice Ayesha Malik, who banned virginity tests for rape survivors, described as ‘defining moment’ for the country

December 26, 2021December 26, 2021 Health Human Rights India

‘A breakthrough, not a breakdown’: one woman’s quest to transform mental health care in India

Psychologist Ratnaboli Ray’s recovery from a mental health crisis inspired her to fight for women suffering in ‘abysmal’ conditions in West Bengal’s state institutions

Photography by Ranita Roy for the Guardian

Property shares in Hong Kong jump after China cuts key mortgage rate January 20, 2022
The central bank's move comes as concerns grow about a slowdown in the world's second largest economy.
Tonga: First foreign aid planes arrive bearing crucial supplies January 20, 2022
It comes after the Pacific nation was left devastated by a volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
Tonga volcano: Biblical disaster shakes most Mormon nation in the world January 20, 2022
Tonga is the world's most Mormon nation and the Church is playing a key role after the volcanic eruption.
Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati: Who is the arrested Hindu priest? January 20, 2022
Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati is a polarising figure who has often made headlines for anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Bali bombings: Indonesia jails top militant over deadly nightclub attacks January 19, 2022
An Indonesian court sentences a leader of the Islamist group that carried out the attacks to 15 years.
Sania Mirza: India tennis star to retire after 2022 season January 19, 2022
Sania Mirza, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, is one of India's most celebrated sports stars.
More expats may quit Hong Kong over its tough Covid laws: Survey January 19, 2022
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong pointed to border closures as an issue for those surveyed.
Man arrested after Australian child found dead in barrel January 19, 2022
A man has been charged with murder after a five-day search for a girl near Sydney, police say.
Tonga tsunami: Pita Taufatofua starts fundraiser for home island crisis relief January 19, 2022
Pita Taufatofua has said the funds can be used to help hospitals, schools and for water purification.
The women facing rape threats and abuses on Clubhouse January 19, 2022
The women say right-wing trolls in India targeted them for criticising Narendra Modi and his government.
Winter Olympics 2022: China sells Xinjiang as a winter sports hub January 19, 2022
Many foreign firms hoping to ride the Olympics boom are investing heavily in the troubled region.
Hong Kong seizes hamsters from pet store for mass cull January 18, 2022
A pet shop outbreak in "zero Covid" Hong Kong will result in the euthanasia of 2,000 small mammals.
Backlash as US billionaire dismisses Uyghur abuse January 18, 2022
Chamath Palihapitiya says he and most Americans "don't care" about alleged human rights abuse of the Uyghur minority.
Winter Olympics: Athletes advised to use burner phones in Beijing January 18, 2022
A mandatory Covid monitoring app to be used by all Games attendees has security risks, analysts warn.
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption January 18, 2022
Satellite and aerial images show impact of eruption of underwater volcano near Tonga island chain.
Indonesia names new capital that will replace Jakarta January 18, 2022
Lawmakers approve proposals to relocate the capital from Jakarta, which is sinking at an alarming rate.
China's Xi Jinping defends 'common prosperity' crackdowns January 18, 2022
The Chinese leader made the comments during an address to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.
Collarwali: Remembering India’s ‘super mum’ tigress January 18, 2022
Charismatic Collarwali played a key role in boosting tiger numbers and made her sanctuary famous.
Novak Djokovic: What next for 20-time Grand Slam champion after Australia row? January 17, 2022
Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia following the row over a vaccine exemption. What happens next for the Serb?
Why satellites are key to understanding Pacific volcano January 17, 2022
When the huge eruption happened over the weekend, a fleet of spacecraft overhead gathered key data.

Havana syndrome: Most cases not caused by foreign power - CIA January 20, 2022
A mysterious illness striking US diplomats can usually be explained by natural causes, a report finds.
Ghana blast: Many feared dead after huge explosion in Bogoso January 20, 2022
Videos show many destroyed buildings and scattered debris near the mining town of Bogoso.
Americans assess President Biden's first year in office January 20, 2022
Only 42% of Americans approve of the president's performance. Here's what five voters told us.
South Africa head coach Boucher charged over racism claims January 20, 2022
South Africa head coach Mark Boucher is charged by the sport's national governing body with gross misconduct over allegations of racism.
Ministers blackmailing Johnson plotters - Tory MP January 20, 2022
The PM rejects the claims of a Tory MP, who says rebels face intimidation from ministers.
Liberian church stampede kills 29 worshippers in Monrovia January 20, 2022
At least 29 people, including 11 children, die when robbers attack an open-air service, causing panic.
'My team told me not to play' - Raducanu, hampered by blister, loses to Kovinic January 20, 2022
Emma Raducanu says she was warned by her team not to play in the Australian Open second round because of a blister that hampered her in the defeat by Danka Kovinic.
Subdued Murray 'frustrated' and 'disappointed' by Australian Open defeat January 20, 2022
Britain's former world number one Andy Murray produces a subdued display as he loses to Japan's Taro Daniel in the Australian Open second round.
Former Pope Benedict failed to act over abuse, new report finds January 20, 2022
Benedict XVI is incriminated in a report into child sex abuse in Munich in the 70s and 80s.
Teenage pilot Zara Rutherford completes solo round-world record January 20, 2022
Zara Rutherford endured extreme conditions during a trip that took two months longer than planned.
Texas synagogue: Brother urged hostage-taker to surrender January 20, 2022
Two men are arrested in Birmingham and Manchester as part of the investigation into the attack.
Tonga: Zero-Covid island nation fears aid could bring in virus January 20, 2022
Efforts are being made to deliver humanitarian supplies with minimum risk of infection.
Ukraine tension: Biden says he thinks Putin will 'move in' January 20, 2022
The US president warns the Russian leader against invading, but hints at splits among Western allies.
Brilliant McGrath helps Australia thrash England in Ashes opener January 20, 2022
England are thrashed in the opening match of the Women's Ashes as Tahlia McGrath fires Australia to a nine-wicket win in the first T20.
Djokovic could have inspired anti-vax Australians, court says January 20, 2022
The court said it was reasonable to think Djokovic might have inspired anti-vaccine sentiment in Australia.
Tonga eruption: Even the dogs were covered in ash January 20, 2022
A Tongan journalist tells the BBC what life has been like since the volcano eruption and tsunami.
Embiid equals career-high 50 points as 76ers see off Magic January 20, 2022
Joel Embiid produces a stellar display in a win for the Philadelphia 76ers while Nikola Jokic is in inspired form for the Denver Nuggets.
Ghislaine Maxwell seeks retrial in sex abuse case January 20, 2022
It comes after one of the jurors convicting her of sex abuse charges said he had influenced others.
Giant pristine coral reef discovered off Tahiti January 20, 2022
Marine explorers find a "pristine" 3km coral reef at depths of 30m off the coast of Tahiti.
A whirlwind dash through Biden's first year in office January 20, 2022
How did the US president do in his first 12 months in the White House?