The 2023 Taiwan-EU Gender Equality Forum kicked off in Taipei City July 5, underscoring the government’s commitment to collaborating with like-minded partners to create a safe and just world for all.
Jointly organized by the Executive Yuan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei with assistance from Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the two-day event featured official representatives and experts from nongovernmental organizations sharing their views on issues ranging from women’s economic empowerment and post-pandemic gender concerns to the living conditions of LGBTI individuals and related policy measures. Over 800 people from 17 countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific participated in person or online.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Premier Chen Chien-jen said the government attaches great importance to gender issues and is actively working to improve legal mechanisms in order to achieve a more equitable society.
According to Chen, the government has taken a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct amid the recent spate of alleged cases, as evidenced by President Tsai asking the EY to set clearer guidelines for preventing sexual harassment; establish a more approachable, effective and trustworthy appeal system; and conduct an inter-ministerial review of gender equality regulations. The executive Yuan is also amending the Gender Equality in Employment Act, Sexual Harassment Prevention Act and Gender Equality in Education Act, he said.
In recent years, Taiwan has worked to advance LGBTI rights, making the country the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Chen said, adding that this year Taiwan enabled same-sex partners from different countries to apply for marriage registration and adopt children.
Taiwan and the EU launched the Taiwan-EU Gender Equality Cooperation and Training Framework in 2019, holding a series of fruitful workshops and seminars under its auspices. (POC-E)
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