Mari Shibata
As Zika Virus Spreads, Women Warned Against Pregnancy but Denied Family Planning
Women in Latin America have been urged to avoid pregnancy after thousands of babies were born with brain defects linked to the mosquito-borne Zika virus. But campaigners say that restricted access to abortion leaves many unable to take that advice.
Banning Abortion Doesn't Actually Reduce Abortion Rates at All
If you want to reduce the number of terminations, the answer isn't banning abortion. It's embracing it.
'Silence Is Killing but We Are Steadfast': Saudi Activist Arrested for Tweeting
One of Saudi Arabia's most prominent female activists, Samar Badawi, was arrested and released on bail today. Human rights experts worry that this is part of a worrying trend of silencing campaigners in the Kingdom.
Why Japanese Women Are Fighting to Keep Their Own Last Names
After the Supreme Court of Japan ruled that married women should not be allowed to legally retain their own last names, we find out why the right to self-determination is more important than ever.
For the First Time, Saudi Women Go to the Polls and Run For Office
As Saudi women prepare to participate in their first elections, we speak to the female candidate and first-time voters about the groundbreaking event.
Tinned Sweetcorn and Chocolate Biscuits Are Helping Calais Migrants Feel Human
While many at “The Jungle” migrant camp in Calais rely on meals provided by French authorities, Sudanese refugee Saif cooks with donated British food. “We need to survive by eating as we wait for good news,” he says.
Playing Princess with Boys at Stockholm's First Gender Neutral Pre-School
In gender equality-obsessed Sweden, Nicolaigarden is a place where girls can be princes and boys can play the beautiful princess.
Rolling Maki at Japan's First All-Female Sushi Restaurant
Women have been traditionally banned from sushi-making because of their warm hands and periods, but one Tokyo eatery is bucking convention.
Japan's Last A-Bomb Survivors Push to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons
As the "Hibakusha"—survivors of atomic bombings—get older, they look to younger generations to carry on their legacy of activism.
How This Dissident Rapper Is Subverting Moroccan Censorship
El Haqed can only distribute his songs through Facebook and YouTube.
The Middle Finger Emoji Could Land You in Jail in the UAE
Using middle finger emojis and “insulting words” on apps can result in jail or deportation.
Japan’s ‘Cyber Nationalists’ Are Convinced that MERS Started in Korea
The Netto-Uyoku are using the tragic outbreak as an opportunity to spread more nationalistic fervor online.