ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said April 19 that Taiwan has steadily moved toward greater gender equality during the last few years, with the nation ranking No. 4 globally in the latest Gender Inequality Index.
Among the 34 nations and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan is the first to have provided paternity leave subsidies, Ma said. As a result of such regulation, children under three years of age can receive proper care from both parents, he added.
The president’s comments came during a meeting with the ROC National Women’s League.
“Since the government implemented the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, gender rights in the nation have been connected with the world,” Ma said.
He noted that the Cabinet-level Department of Gender Equality was launched this year, and that the government is working to adopt measures to create a friendlier living environment for women, such as building more toilet seats for women in public lavatories to cut back on waiting time. In addition, his administration has raised start-up loan levels for females from NT$500,000 (US$16,667) to NT$1 million.
“The government has also established women’s detention centers according to the particular needs of females, while an interference-free medical treatment environment will be set up within one year at medical centers nationwide and within four years at public hospitals to ensure women’s safety and privacy when they visit the doctor,” Ma said.
The president also mentioned his recent trip to Africa, saying Taiwan has offered sewing lessons to women in the Kingdom of Swaziland, an ally of the ROC.
“Our sewing program has allowed females in remote areas to support their families and further improve their status at home,” Ma said. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw