When Manabu Tsukagoshi, a Tokyo-based consultant, had his second child, he took a month of paternity leave so that his wife could go back to work. While Tsukagoshi is among a tiny majority in Japan, Prime Minister Abe wants men to play a larger role in bringing up their kids.

Asia's growing economies are creating new opportunities, but how equal are they? How are labels used to categorise professional Asian women, and how can brands communicate with this powerful consumer demographic in a meaningful and relevant way?

The modern woman is setting her sights on increasingly ambitious career. We sat down with John Gerzema, author ofThe Athena Doctrine, to find out more; how her attitudes have changed, what hurdles she faces and how brands can cater to her needs.

Female spending power is growing, but companies in traditionally 'masculine' categories still struggle to realise the 'female opportunity'. Jane Cunningham explains how brands can broaden their appeal from just men to both womenandmen.