#GenderEquity

A sweeping review of over 150 scientific publications spanning nearly three decades has spotlighted critical gaps in how men’s involvement in family planning is understood and studied across 23 African nations. The research, led by a team of demographers, reproductive health experts, and population scientists, raises fresh questions about how health systems worldwide—including in Thailand—should rethink the role of men in shaping reproductive choices and outcomes. The findings suggest that involving men meaningfully in family planning discussions and programmes is not only essential for gender equity but also for the long-term success of reproductive health initiatives (The Conversation).

New research suggests that women can achieve significant health gains from exercise in less time than men, overturning common assumptions about gender and fitness. The large-scale study, recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed more than 400,000 American adults and found that women experience a greater reduction in premature death—especially from cardiovascular causes—with each minute of moderate to vigorous activity compared to men (livescience.com).

The study holds important implications for Thai readers, many of whom are increasingly aware of the links between lifestyle, chronic diseases, and mortality. With non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and stroke remaining the leading causes of death in Thailand, understanding how to maximize the benefit from physical activity is both timely and vital.

A landmark study from the University of Houston has brought new clarity to an enduring educational challenge: while gender stereotypes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are pervasive, students’ views are far more nuanced than previously thought. Released this week and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research found that girls and boys continue to assign masculine stereotypes to certain STEM fields—particularly engineering and computer science—while displaying more gender-neutral or even female-favoring attitudes toward math and biological sciences. The findings have important implications for educational practices and gender equity efforts in Thailand, where encouraging girls to pursue all STEM fields remains an ongoing policy goal.

The U.S. Army has unveiled sweeping changes to its fitness testing protocol, marking the end of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and ushering in a new era with the Army Fitness Test (AFT) beginning in June 2025. The announcement signals a significant shift in how the largest branch of the U.S. military assesses its soldiers’ physical readiness, with reforms designed to bolster overall fitness, enhance warfighting capabilities, and address ongoing debates over test fairness and military effectiveness (USA Today).