A Taiwan delegation took part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s virtual Women and the Economy Forum Sept. 24, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring all members of society can fully contribute to the country’s post-pandemic bounceback.
Led by Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, the group comprised official and experts from government agencies and nongovernmental organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet-level Gender Equality Committee and Taipei City-headquartered Foundation of Women’s Rights Promotion and Development.
During Wang’s address, she highlighted the effectiveness of Taiwan’s coronavirus-combating efforts, as well as the NT$420 billion (US$15.2 billion) economic stimulus package aimed at backing hard-hit businesses and the working class.
Women are one of the major drivers of the country’s economic recovery, Wang said. This is why industries mainly staffed by females are prioritized for assistance through measures like digital skills training, loan extensions and salary subsidies, she added.
In addition, a raft of measures has been introduced to help women manage work-life balance during the pandemic, Wang said, citing 24-hour homecare services for front-line medical workers and quarantine subsidies.
Lin Ming-Jen, an economics professor at Taipei-based National Taiwan University, was also announced during the forum as a co-winner of the 2021 APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize.
According to Lin, his team’s study revealed the detrimental impact on labor force participation and income experienced by women serving as primary caregivers of aging parents. He said it is recommended decision-makers take this correlation into account and develop policies easing the burden via tailored support undertakings.
Chaired by New Zealand Minister for Women Jan Tinetti, the daylong event saw representatives from 21 APEC member economies discuss key issues like addressing the gender pay gap, occupational segregation and women’s representation in trade. (SFC-E)
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