COGNICURRENT

Starting in April, local governments in South Korea will implement a gender impact assessment checklist for festivals to promote gender equality.

A school in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, has decided to eliminate its 4th-grade class due to space constraints and a significant gender imbalance.

Japan's sixth basic plan for gender equality aims to increase the percentage of women in leadership roles to 30% by the early 2020s, reflecting a significant update from previous targets.

The Japanese government has determined a five-year gender equality plan that includes considerations for legalizing the use of former surnames for married individuals.

Melina Travlou emphasizes the importance of gender equality in the workforce during the Women Forward Summit in Athens.

The article discusses the contradiction in German policy promoting part-time jobs despite a national emphasis on full-time employment, highlighting its impact on women's economic opportunities and societal inequalities.

The article discusses the complexities of gender neutrality in job advertisements in Poland, particularly when specific gender requirements may be necessary for certain roles.

TIP Mexico emphasizes the need for companies to implement structural and measurable equality policies rather than rely on superficial gender equality campaigns.

A letter emphasizes the importance of stable funding and regulatory support for women's shelters in Sweden, which are experiencing closures despite governmental claims of combating violence against women.

The Women's Rights Defense Commission of the Pernambuco Legislative Assembly approved 82 out of 134 proposals in 2025, highlighting the challenge of implementing these measures.

Manitoba will require employers to provide free menstrual products in the workplace starting in August.

The events at BIVA highlight the economic inefficiency caused by gender inequality in Mexico, especially in financial markets.

Cities across Brazil organized protests on March 8, International Women's Day, to advocate for gender equality and against violence towards women.

President Yoon expressed his commitment to restoring gender equality policies on International Women's Day, emphasizing the adverse effects of the previous government's abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Former Prime Minister Sanna Marin spoke at the Emma gala, addressing topics of nuclear arms and the importance of parliamentary discussion.

A former school board trustee in British Columbia was fined $750,000 by the Human Rights Tribunal for criticizing government policy on gender identity in schools, raising concerns about freedom of expression in Canada.

A Montreal teacher has filed a constitutional challenge against a provincial policy that allows students 14 and older to change their name and pronouns at school without parental consent, claiming her rights were violated when instructed to conceal a student's gender identity from their parents.

International Women's Day emphasizes the ongoing struggle for women's representation and equality across various sectors including politics, business, and academia.

The minutes from a December gender conference reveal divided opinions on the inclusion of former name usage in Japan's gender policy plan, with significant support for a selective married surname option.

Trade union leader Maria Löfgren criticizes the Finnish government's approach, arguing that budget cuts are detrimental to young women and do not stimulate economic growth.

The Supreme Court has paused California's enforcement of a law blocking schools from informing parents when their child identifies as transgender, a decision praised by parental rights advocates.

USA Rugby announces the introduction of an 'open' gender category for trans athletes, allowing participation without restrictions based on gender assigned at birth.

Experts warn that Trump administration officials are misrepresenting the science of sex and gender, impacting healthcare accessibility and policy for transgender individuals.

Kansas has enacted a law that invalidates driver's licenses and birth certificates for transgender residents who changed their gender designation, affecting approximately 1,700 individuals.

American bishops released their annual report on religious freedom in the United States, noting improvements under Trump administration but expressing concerns over immigration law enforcement.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in South Korea is recruiting 150 young members for the first Youth Coexistence and Empathy Committee to address gender perception gaps among the youth.

The South African government has mandated an online Gender-Based Analysis (GBA+) training course for public servants to foster inclusivity in policy-making and service delivery.

The Japan Art Academy announced seven new members, including author Hiromi Kawakami, while highlighting a lack of female representation and selections from newly established artistic fields.

Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, urged the Mexican Senate to enhance public policies and resources aimed at protecting women and girls.

The first transgender athlete, Swedish freestyle skier Elin Lundholm, participated in the women's mogul qualifiers at the Winter Olympics, raising questions on the International Olympic Committee's gender policies.

The article discusses how hidden costs and societal barriers hinder women's participation in scientific careers, especially highlighted on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Germany is set to appoint new ambassadors to key positions, including Israel, Russia, India, and China, as part of a major personnel reshuffle in the Foreign Office.

The gender pay gap in Spain remains at 20%, significantly influenced by the prevalence of part-time employment among women.

Momoko Nohjo critiques the recent Japanese general election results, emphasizing the lack of substantial policy discussion and raising questions about the motivations behind the snap election call by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

A significant number of teachers in the Piracicaba region of Brazil are absent due to health issues, with women aged 50 to 59 making up the largest demographic affected.

Prisha Mosley discusses the reversal of policy by major medical associations regarding gender surgeries for minors, highlighting personal experiences as a detransitioner.

At the University of Limoges, a menstrual leave policy allows students to miss classes due to painful periods, sparking debate over its misuse by male students.

Former ski runner Zuzana Kocumová, who was once fired for refusing to add the Czech suffix 'ová' to her name, is astonished by a new rule from Czech Television introduced just before the Olympics.

The government is planning a reform of the Gender Equality Committee, which has been criticized for its lack of effectiveness and presence since its establishment ten years ago.

The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Hill Obe, urged Nigerian security agencies to actively implement the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Gender Policy II for 2026–2030, highlighting the importance of translating policy into practice for real transformation.

Starting in April, significant changes to workplace pensions are expected to benefit millions of women, addressing issues related to the gender pension gap and supporting those who took time off for family care.

Cultural leaders, policymakers, and development partners gathered in Lagos to strategize collaborative efforts to combat gender-based violence in Africa.

Dalia Points is a public policy program initiated in Álvaro Obregón aimed at providing temporary safe spaces for women facing violence in Mexico.

Feminists have reported more than a hundred instances of legal fraud related to the trans law, claiming it undermines public policies aimed at addressing gender inequalities.

The discussion about 'menstrual leave' is not new, as the new chairman of the Health Ministers' Conference opposes it, arguing that women should be allowed to take sick leave instead.

Federal employees are challenging a new Trump administration policy that removes coverage for gender-affirming care under federal health insurance programs.

Many American colleges are admitting men at a higher rate despite lower performance, but Donald Trump is jeopardizing this practice, potentially harming his own voter base.