Asia Insight

In this episode of Asia Insight we investigate the viscous circle of gun violence in the Philippines

In Bhutan, there is a traditional belief, which stems from Tibetan Buddhism, that people with disabilities are suffering karmic retribution from past lives. Although attitudes are slowly changing there is still a lot of stigma attached, with many parents going as far as hiding their disabled children away at home.

This episode of Asia Insight follows a social business that has been trying to improve the lives of Chinese farmers for the past 20 years

With more than 70% of young South Koreans going on to further education, the country is facing a chronic shortage of manual workers in its medium and small sized factories. Seeking to resolve this problem, 10 years ago, the government instigated the Employment Permit System whereby it has opened its doors to foreign workers. Although South Korea has achieved much international acclaim for this policy, there may be negative consequences for some of the country's domestic workers.

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country, but for many years, many schools of Islam have stigmatized Indonesia's transgender people, known as Waria. However, in recent years, Waria have started asserting their rights, and some religious leaders are now showing increasing acceptance. We report from Indonesia where Waria are demanding greater participation in the community, and look at how society itself is gradually becoming more tolerant.

In Kyrgyzstan, a small country in Central Asia, the institution of marriage is troubled by the serious social problem of "bride kidnapping". Women are abducted and forced to marry men they have never met. A traditional practice of Kyrgyzstan's formerly nomadic people, during the Soviet years and since independence the custom has taken on a criminal character. It leaves deep scars in its victims, and 2012 saw a series of kidnapping-related suicides.

A succession of population policies - first encouraging childbirth and then enforcing one-child families - has brought on one of China's most pressing problems, its ever growing aging population. Adequate laws, support systems and care centers have yet to be developed and the country is facing a major crisis. In this episode of Asia Insight, we follow the efforts of private enterprises and caring individuals who are trying to give the senior citizens of China the support and respect they need.

Cambodia is going through a dramatic transformation, with its GDP jumping three-fold over the past 10 years, thanks to heavy foreign investment. Prolonged internal conflict in the 1970's however, saw thousands of innocent lives perish and created deep scars for this ancient empire. Now, a new generation is finally emerging, who aim to make Cambodia a proud nation once again. This episode of Asia Insight follows the dreams and hopes of 4 young Cambodians who are active in the fields of politics, economics and culture.