Finding a mate is hard in the best of times, and in the pandemic it’s even trickier. In Japan, inventors are harnessing robot companionship to replicate everyday sensory moments of human interaction: they’ve created a robot hand to simulate the experience of taking a romantic stroll in the park.

Pandemic-induced flexible work is inspiring parents in Japan with young kids to think about having more. With many calling for a more equal approach to parenting, workplaces have the opportunity to reassess their paternity, maternity, and parenting policies to align with what people want.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen women dropping out (or being forced out) of the workforce in record numbers. What are the reasons behind this shift and how might they affect gender equality in the long run? Additionally, how can brands support mothers as they strive to find success and balance?

Across social media platforms, French women are using the hashtag #monpostpartum to share stories about childbirth and their recovering bodies. As the body positivity movement gains traction in France, how can brands step in to support women and to normalise the physical changes a baby brings?