The Cabinet’s Gender Equality Committee (GEC) released its fourth national report on Taiwan’s implementation of UN gender equality standards. The report highlights that Taiwan’s efforts to advance gender equality are among the most successful in Asia.
According to GEC Executive Secretary Lo Ping-cheng, Taiwan not only ranks first in Asia for gender equality, but the rate of female participation in politics has jumped to more than 40 percent in the country.
Moreover, the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2019 was a historic first in Asia. In addition, Taiwan raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both men and women in 2020 and strengthened services for pregnant women under 20-years-old.
The government says it remains fully committed to making gender issues a top priority. The report calls for improved efforts to prevent gender-based violence and discrimination online. It proposes amendments to a number of Taiwan’s laws to achieve this goal.