A total of 43 female legislators are set to take their places in the 113-member Legislature following the Jan. 16 elections, up from 38 in the eighth edition. This equates to 38 percent—the highest in Asia and topping such countries as the Philippines at 27.1, South Korea 16.3 and Japan 11.6, according to the latest statistics released by Switzerland-based Inter-Parliamentary Union.
“Such a result shows women’s political participation rate is on the rise in Taiwan,” an official from the Central Elections Commission said. “This reaffirms that gender equality in Taiwan is advancing as per Article 134 of the ROC Constitution.”
A similarly high proportion can be seen in the ROC Control and Examination yuans, which comprise 50 percent and 38 percent female members, respectively.
In addition, Taiwan is a credible fifth in a Gender Inequality Index compiled by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics under the Executive Yuan based on 2014’s Gender Inequality Index by U.N. Development Program.
Another strong indicator of Taiwan’s women friendly society is the election Jan. 16 of Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party, as the ROC’s first female president.
Tsai promises to continue creating a level legislative playing field between the sexes, and ensure women can pursue professional careers and strengthen the nation’s workforce.
“We are looking forward to seeing these politicians take center stage in the political arena and set a shining example for women in Taiwan and throughout Asia,” the official said. (YCH-JSM)
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