2018 Gender Impact Award

Aug @ Japan

Yomiuri News（JP）Tokyo Medical University changed female exam scores

Reports that one of Japan's most prestigious medical universities tampered with female applicants' entrance exam scores have sparked an outcry on social media. On 19th Sep., the university elected the first female president in its 102 years history.

Jun @ Taiwan

There’s no #MeToo if there wasn’t a “Me”: The disappearing sexual survivors in the Philippines

The reporter went investigating the #MeToo movement in the Philippines. Over 20 sexual survivors, activists, and government officials were interviewed to gain a bigger picture of how the sexual violence work in the system.

Oct @ Taiwan

The Reporter (TW)The boys who wear skirts

An interview project tells story about 4 different children who have different gender identity from given sex. A important and genuine report on children’s gender identities issues.

Feb ＠ Taiwan

Mirror Media（TW）Fathers who came out from the closet

Interviews 3 fathers who have gay children came out of the closet. Stories about how the fathers adapt the changes, support their kids and the challenges they faced in the society.

Mar ＠ Taiwan

Mirror Media：The love and desire stories of the physically challenged

Interview 3 physically challenged people of different age, gender, and sexuality. The stories unveiled that humans are the same in desiring an intimate relationship.

Nov @ World

The New York Times (US)How Google Protected Andy Rubin, the “Father of Android”

The internet giant paid Mr. Rubin $90 million and praised him, while keeping silent about a misconduct claim. What Google did not make public was that an employee had accused Mr. Rubin of sexual misconduct. Over 20,000 employees stood up and strike globally.

Jan ＠ China

Global Investigative Journalism Network (CN) Within 24 hours, we received over 1,700 people telling their stories of sexual assualt.

The first and only media in China to survey publicly about people’s experience of being sexually assaulted.

Sep @ USA

California state law mandates female board directors by 2019

California will require publicly listed companies with headquarters in the state to have at least one woman on their boards of directors by end of 2019, under a bill signed into law.

Sep @ USA

Warner Bros. “inclusion rider” could bring more diversity to video games

WarnerMedia, the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, became the the first major company in the entertainment industry to adopt a broad-ranging diversity and inclusion policy. The goal, according to a statement issued to the media earlier this week, is to make that policy company-wide.

Oct ＠ Netherlands

Netherlands issues gender neutral passport for first time in its history

The passport gives the individual the option to put an 'X' as their gender classification

Oct @ USA

New York City creates gender-neutral 'X' option for birth certificates

People who were born in New York City and do not identify as male or female can now opt for a third gender category of X on their birth certificates.

Jan @ Iceland

Iceland made Gender Pay Gaps Illegal

Iceland is already ranked by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the world's most gender-equal country, and has been for the past nine years. As of the 1st of January, any company or government agency employing over 25 people needs to get government certification proving they are paying their male and women staff the same. Otherwise they face strict fines.

Apr ＠ UK

First statue of a woman in British Parliament Square unveiled

The suffragist campaignerMillicent Fawcett joins lineup of male figures to mark centenary of women’s suffrage in Britai

Sep @ USA

Art 2030 Takes Activist Stand Alongside United Nations in New York

Art 2030 New York, a series of events coinciding with the meeting of the UN General Assembly that she plans to make an annual happening. The program included public installations and performances as well as panel discussions on issues taken up by the UN goals, among them gender equality, climate change, and education.

Sep ＠ USA

Period sex is perfectly normal—meet the photographer challenging the stigma

Los Angeles-based photographer Nolwen Cifuentes has released a powerful series showing three queer couples having sex on their periods. She speaks to PinkNews about her taboo-smashing art, and the benefits of period sex.

Feb ＠Taiwan, Tailand

Art exhibition by Taiwan and Tailand artists :“Diversity via Nature, Relegion, Genders or Art?”

To support and discuss the issues of same-sex marriage, artists from Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan gathered together to give their voice through art peices.

Aug ＠ Taiwan

The first statue of comfort woman in Taiwan unveiled

The statue honoring “comfort women” ; was erected in the Taiwanese city of Tainan this week, marking Taiwan’s first public monument to women who were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during WWII.

Oct ＠ USA

General Motors named world’s top company for gender equality

GM took top honors this year because it was the only company to have a female CEO and have an equal number of men and women on its board. The company is also one of just two other global giants that have implemented pay equality across all levels, including low-level employees and top executives. GM also offers flexible work locations and has policies in place to prevent workplace sexual violence.

Jun @ USA

Goldman Sachs Pledges $500 Million for Female Founders

In an effort to fund more female entrepreneurs and investors, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said it will invest $500 million worth of firm and client capital in businesses and financial products run by women.

Jan @ Taiwan

AUO coporation of Taiwan is included in the 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the first time

AUO enacted policy on sexual harassment policy, gender-friendly working rules, providing health care and counselations for pregnant emplyees.

May @ USA

Stacey Cunningham, the NYSE's first female president

She is the first woman to lead the New York Stock Exchange in its 226 years. Faced with falling sales and government pressure, though, she finds the attention to her gender a distraction

Mar @ USA

Starbucks achieves pay equity in the United States

Starbucks has reached gender and race pay equity among all US employees in similar roles. It is working with women's organizations like Billie Jean King's Leadership Initiative and the National Partnership for Women & Families to help guide its efforts.

Jan @ Singapore

DBS Bank of Singapore is included in the 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the first time

Female employees take up to 60% in the company, 40% in senior management and 30% in strategetic team.

Nov ＠ HongKong

The first transgender movie “Tracy” screened in HongKong

Tracey is an upcoming Hong Kong drama film written and directed by Jun Li in his directorial debut and starring Philip Keung as the titular protagonist, 51-year-old married man and father whose craving for feminization increases, leading him to transition from male to female both mentally and physically. Filming for Tracey began on 5 December 2017 and the film is currently in post-production.

Apr @ Japan

Japan’s TV drama “Ossan's Love” tells stories on same-sex romance won the Tokyo TV Drama award

The expanded version of the 2016 TV special. Soichi Haruta is unpopular among women due to his poor social skills. However, he accidentally finds out both, his middle-aged boss, and his colleague have a crush on him. But they are men.

Nov ＠ Taiwan

The Taiwan movie “Dear Ex” tell stories on same-sex romance issues won 5 awards in the Taipei film’s festival

When Sanlian's ex-husband passes away, she discovers he has altered his insurance policy, cutting out their son in favor of a stranger named Jay. Outraged, Sanlian decides that she and her son will confront Jay, but Jay proves equal to her scheme. However, when her son unexpectedly moves in with Jay, she is forced to reassess her relationship with them both.

Jan @ French

L'Oréal Paris Elvive has made history by casting a hijab-wearing model in a major haircare campaign

In the campaign, which was shot by photographer Rankin, Khan wears a pink headscarf and complementary shade on her lips. By starring in the history-making project, the influencer also hopes to correct a common misconception about Muslim women’s relationship with their hair.

Feb @ India

The Indian movie “Pad man”

The story of an Indian metalworker who devised a low-cost method of producing sanitary pads makes a compelling biopic

Mar ＠Japan

The Japanese movie “the Husband of my brother”

The famous comic “the Husband of my brother” was screened in theatre.

Jul @ Japan

The Japanese movie “Until the Rainbow Dawn”

After meeting at their Deaf school in Central Japan, Hana and Ayumi become close friends, and quickly fall in love. But when Hana comes out to her parents, they throw her out of the house. Ayumi takes Hana along to a queer Deaf meetup in Tokyo, where they meet and befriend a supportive group of trans, gay and lesbian Deaf people who tell them their own personal stories. Made by a majority Deaf cast and crew, Until Rainbow Dawn is a remarkable, authentic story of queer Deaf Japanese culture.

May @ Korea

TV Drama Miss Hammurabi reflects the imbalance of gender power in judicial system.

Korean TV Drama Miss Hammurabi reflects the imbalance of gender power in the judicial system. Also, it reminds the judges, prosecutors, and lawyers to gain more awareness of the gendered context of sexual violence to pursue real justice.

Jan @ USA

Time's Up (movement)

Time's Up is a movement against sexual harassment and was founded on January 1, 2018, by Hollywood celebrities in response to the Weinstein effect and #MeToo. As of February 2018, it has raised $20 million for its legal defense fund, and gathered over 200 volunteer lawyers.

Sep @ USA

#WhyIDidn'tReport (movement)

Survivors responded with fury Friday to President Donald Trump's remarks challenging the veracity of Christine Blasey Ford, the accuser of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The president said she would surely have reported the assault to police "immediately" if the attack was "as bad as she says." On Twitter, the hashtag "WhyIDidn'tReport" was trending, with survivors coming forward with their own reasons.

Nov @ World

The Google Walkout

20,000 workers in Google offices across 50 cities walked out protesting sexual harassment and misconduct, and demanding for an inclusive workplace culture. The higher than expected turnout, the attention on news and social media, and the backing of Google’s CEO are all encouraging signs that things will change for the better for women at Google and beyond.

Jul @ Korea

“My life is not your porn” protests in South Korea.

South Korea spycam protests swell as women object to illegal secretive porn. More than 40,000 women took to the streets of Seoul , as part of a monthly demonstration started in May.

Sep @ Italy

Thousands of physicists sign letter condemning ‘disgraceful’ Alessandro Strumia gender talk

More than 3000 physicists have so far signed an open statement denouncing a recent talk by theoretical physicist Alessandro Strumia of the University of Pisa. The talk was given on 28 September at an inaugural CERN workshop on high-energy theory and gender in which he claimed that men, not women, face discrimination when seeking jobs in physics.

March @ Brazil

#LetHerWork, a movement born in Brazil and now spreading all over the world

In times of #MeToo, this is the first serious attempt to address the difficulties that women face when working as sport reporters. The movement’s hashtag is simple, but powerful: #DeixaElaTrabalhar (#LetHerWork). The featured characters, more than 100, work in print, radio and TV media outlets. They have all encountered the same difficulties. Fans trying to kissing them on air is one of the many problems they face. They want to work without suffering.

Sep @ USA

#MeToo in China: 8 thousand of people sign letter condemning the perpetrator

China professor accused in #MeToo campaign is sacked. Beihang University in Beijing said an investigation had established that Chen Xiaowu had sexually harassed students. The former student, Luo Xixi, shared her story on China's version of Twitter, Weibo, earlier this month. Her account went viral and was seen as China's first widely-shared #MeToo moment.

Aug @ South Africa

In South Africa, women call for #TotalShutdown of gender-based violence

housands of women embarked on protest action on 1 August across South Africa to protest the scourge of gender-based violence. Women from all walks of life used the start of the country’s Women’s Month to demonstrate their frustration and anger at the increasing levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Jul @ India

India scraps 12% tax on sanitary pads after protests

Activists say this will allow more girls to go to school rather than staying home due to a lack of access to feminine hygiene products

Jan @ China

#MeToo in China: 8 thousand of people sign letter condemning the perpetrator

China professor accused in #MeToo campaign is sacked. Beihang University in Beijing said an investigation had established that Chen Xiaowu had sexually harassed students. The former student, Luo Xixi, shared her story on China's version of Twitter, Weibo, earlier this month. Her account went viral and was seen as China's first widely-shared #MeToo moment.

Jul @ Korea

“My life is not your porn” protests in South Korea.

South Korea spycam protests swell as women object to illegal secretive porn. More than 40,000 women took to the streets of Seoul , as part of a monthly demonstration started in May.

Oct @ Korea

#MeToo for Goo Hara: Chinese women show support for South Korean spycam porn protests after pop star blackmailed

Surge in discussion online in China following latest street protests in Seoul and blackmail accusation by South Korean singer and actress Goo Hara

Oct ＠ Taiwan

Taiwan Referendum on Same-sex marriage

The petition to support same-sex marriage referendum has set a history record of gathereing the enough petition in the shortest time in Taiwan.

@ China

#MeToo in China: 8 thousand of people sign letter condemning the perpetratorn

"China professor accused in #MeToo campaign is sacked. Beihang University in Beijing said an investigation had established that Chen Xiaowu had sexually harassed students. The former student, Luo Xixi, shared her story on China's version of Twitter, Weibo, earlier this month. Her account went viral and was seen as China's first widely-shared #MeToo moment."

@ USA

Stars wear all black for supporting #TimesUp in Golden Globe Award 2018

Time's Up is a movement against sexual harassment and was founded on January 1, 2018, by Hollywood celebrities in response to the Weinstein effect and #MeToo. As of February 2018, it has raised $20 million for its legal defense fund, and gathered over 200 volunteer lawyers.

@ India

‘Pad Man’ Is Leading An Important Revolution In How The Indian Culture Views Menstruation

The story of an Indian metalworker who devised a low-cost method of producing sanitary pads makes a compelling biopic

@ USA

Brendan Fraser speaks out on experiencing sexual misconduct

@ Brazil

Brazil councillor Marielle Franco's death draws tens of thousands of protesters

Marielle Franco, who was a black lesbian female councillor, was assassinated in her car after leaving a black women’s empowerment event that she had organized. More than 20,000 people showed up in Rio de Janeiro’s Cinelandia neighborhood the night she was buried, protesting the discriminations towards LGBT and races.

@ UK

First statue of a woman in British Parliament Square unveiled

The suffragist campaigner Millicent Fawcett joins lineup of male figures to mark centenary of women’s suffrage in Britain

@ Pakistan

Pakistan Passes Historic Transgender Rights Bill

@ USA

Stacey Cunningham, the NYSE's first female president

She is the first woman to lead the New York Stock Exchange in its 226 years. Faced with falling sales and government pressure, though, she finds the attention to her gender a distraction

@ New Zealand

New Zealand's prime minister is the first world leader on maternity leave

@ Korea

“My life is not your porn” protests in South Korea.

South Korea spycam protests swell as women object to illegal secretive porn. More than 40,000 women took to the streets of Seoul , as part of a monthly demonstration started in May.

@ India

India scraps 12% tax on sanitary pads after more than 400,000 people signed a petition

@ Japan

Yomiuri News Reported 'Tokyo Medical Universitychanged female exam scores'

@ USA

Warner Bros. Become First Major Hollywood Studio to Adopt ‘Inclusion Rider’

WarnerMedia, the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, became the the first major company in the entertainment industry to adopt a broad-ranging diversity and inclusion policy. The goal, according to a statement issued to the media earlier this week, is to make that policy company-wide.

@ Korea

#MeToo for Goo Hara: More than 270,000 People Signed a Petition for Combatting Revenge Porn

Korean star Goo Hara was threatened by his ex-boyfriend Choi with spreading her sex videos. He wrote the messages: ‘I will end your career as an entertainer.’to her. A petition was launched on the website of the presidential office and got over 270,000 signatories as people – especially women – called for more severe punishment for revenge porn.

@ World

Against Workplace Sexual Misconduct — 20,000 Google Workers Walk out in Global Rolling Strike

Google employees walked out around the globe on Nov. 1 to demand an end to sexual misconduct at the multibillion-dollar technology corporation. In total, 20,000 workers demonstrated in cities in the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Asia. This coordinated job action was the first international protest against workplace sexual misconduct — and a show of solidarity with those who had experienced abuse. Also protested were gender pay inequity and systemic racism.