For teenage girls in Japan, buying emergency contraception remains difficult due to high costs and a lack of privacy, despite it being made available over the counter three months ago. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/02/japan/society/otc-emergency-contraceptive-hurdles/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #birthcontrol #pregnancy #women039sissues #health #familyplanning #pharmaceuticals

Enforcement of a rule in Iran mandating all women wear hijab appears to have slackened, at least in parts of Tehran and other cities, but the rights of women are still being restricted. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/29/world/politics/iran-hijabs-women-restrictions/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #iran #women039sissues #middleeast #discrimination #tehran

Italy's parliament in February rejected a proposal to equalize maternity and paternity leave, but a growing number of what are being called "dad influencers" are reshaping how fatherhood looks. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/27/world/society/italy-parental-leave-fathers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #society #italy #women039sissues #parenting #families

The speaker of the House of Representatives has said that a bill to revise the Imperial House Law to secure a sufficient number of imperial family members should be enacted in the ongoing session of the Diet. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/16/japan/lower-house-head-imperial-house-law-revision/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #lowerhouse #imperialfamily #diet #ldp #women039sissues

In India, $1 housekeepers are sparking a consumer and worker frenzy despite safety concerns for female employees. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/15/asia-pacific/society/india-housekeeper-safety-risks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #society #india #jobs #women039sissues #men039sissues #sexualharassment

Many women going through midlife are turning to strength training to combat age-related muscle loss and health risks, but the trend is being clouded by conflicting advice and influencer-driven misinformation. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/04/12/menopause-fitness-hack/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #women039sissues #health #socialmedia

Japan wants to significantly boost the number of women in the Self-Defense Forces by the mid 2030s as it struggles to convince young people to enlist. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/08/japan/sdf-women-recruit/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #selfdefenseforces #women039sissues #defenseministry

Two senior public servants recalled the challenges they faced as female workers, 40 years after Japan enforced the law on equal opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment in April 1986. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/08/japan/society/japan-female-workers-challenges/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #women039sissues #jobs #localgovernment

Claims that testosterone therapy is a perimenopausal cure-all are far ahead of the science, with evidence showing only modest benefits for postmenopausal libido and potential risks when used in higher doses. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/04/06/world/testosterone-not-a-magic-cure-middle-age/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #testosterone #menopause #health #women039sissues

The traditional gender roles in Japanese agriculture are beginning to shift, giving way to a more flexible division of labor that draws on individual strengths and is breathing new life into the farming business. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/02/japan/society/japan-women-agriculture/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #agriculture #women039sissues