Women Shortages - When the Female Body become a Strategic Resource

Tricked into Surgery: India’s Hysterectomy Scandal | Investigate Asia In India, the average age of women having a hysterectomy is just 34. Many are a lot younger. Thousands of women are being tricked into expensive and unnecessary operations to remove their wombs by unscrupulous private doctors. As well as leaving their families burdened with heavy debt, the operations push the women into early menopause, often leaving them weak and unable to work. In the sugar growing region of Beed, one in three women have had their wombs removed. Many of them, like Prabarvati, went to the doctor with period pain, backaches or bladder infections and were told they had cancer and the only solution was an urgent hysterectomy. She was 26 when she had the operation. Years later, she suffers from crippling pain and appears decades older. Her daughter had to stop going to school and start working the cane plantations to help the family survive. Other women were pushed into having the operation by cane cutting contractors, who are reluctant to hire women who menstruate. There is a belief

Love and Sex in India | Investigate Asia It’s the birthplace of the Kama Sutra and Bollywood romances but in real life, kissing in the street or just talking about sex in India is considered obscene. In a place where 90% of marriages are arranged and the bride’s family must pay a large dowry, young girls are taught that society considers them a burden. Millions of baby girls are abandoned or illegally aborted. A series of brutal rapes and murders have led to claims of a ‘rape culture’ in India. We investigate the role of India’s system of castes and customs and hear from a lawyer who defends parents who have murdered their children in ‘honour’ crimes. We also meet openly gay Prince Manvendra who fights for his love and for his society to become more accepting and educated in a country where homosexuality is illegal. From forbidden love stories to arranged marriages and spectacular weddings where the bride and groom only just met, we follow the epic stories of young couples in India. This documentary first aired 2018 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Dirty Deals in Pattaya: The Dark Side of Sex Tourism in Thailand | Investigate Asia In 2023, Luck Films reported on the ways paedophiles were exploiting post-COVID poverty in Thailand to abuse children. In this documentary, we return to the place where it all began, checking in with stories that have continued since the first film aired and examining whether any real reform is happening – or is even on the horizon. Luck Films uncovered the case of a German suspect arrested for child abuse in Pattaya who was able to flee to Germany by paying a bribe. After the film aired, Frankfurt prosecutors took him into custody. He admitted on camera to taking a minor to his room “to have sex” but denied any abuse. The revelations sparked political outrage in Thailand, leading to a government inquiry. However, it remains to be seen whether tangible reforms will be implemented. Despite TUI removing Pattaya hotels from its program, this follow-up film – Dirty Deals in Pattaya – reveals how child exploitation still persists in luxury hotels. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome

Love and Sex in Japan | Investigate Asia In the land of the Rising Sun, love and relationships are in danger. A quarter of all Japanese aged 30 to 40 are virgins and 50% of the population admits to not having sex regularly. Unsurprisingly, this has led to birth rates plummeting. 30% of Japan’s population could disappear by 2060. But what are the reasons for this detachment from the world of love and sex? Tough jobs, stress, money problems… not exactly an ideal environment for finding love. The country has developed a unique industry from this phenomenon, with the trend of ‘solo weddings’ emerging: young women in wedding dresses pose in front of the camera for their big day… except, they’re not actually marrying anyone. Paradoxically, Japan is also one of the largest producers of porn movies in the world, with many men seeming to prefer manga heroines to women their age. As Japanese men and women slowly lose the skill of connecting, courses are flourishing teaching the art of seduction. Documentary first aired 2016 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to

Yakutsk: Inside the coldest City on the Planet | Investigate Asia In this place known as “the cold pole”, the biggest challenge relates to the nature of the soil: the “permafrost”. With the warming of the climate, this frozen soil is melting and the buildings are threatened with collapse. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

China's BIG Problem: The rise of Obesity | Investigate Asia Victim of a terrible famine in the early 1960s that killed nearly 20 million people, China is now facing a new scourge: obesity. 100 million Chinese people are overweight. Although it is a disease particularly prevalent among adolescents, affecting 20% of boys and 10% of girls, even babies are being born at more than six kilos. A phenomenon never before seen in the country’s history. Expansion and economic growth have changed the lifestyles of Chinese people, who are now consuming more and more Western-style food. Traditional Chinese food, which is generally quite healthy, has been replaced by “junk food” and the portions have doubled or even tripled. The overconsumption of fat and sugar coupled with sedentary lifestyles and the one-child policy have caused rates of obesity to skyrocket. The Chinese authorities are tackling this epidemic with former prison camps for overweight people run by soldiers. Television shows, smartphone applications, doctors and nutritionists are encouraging the entire nation to get into shape. In this documentary, we visit China to explain why