TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Chen Chu (陳菊) attended the "2024 International Forum on Women's Employment and Economic Security" on Wednesday (June 5), highlighting Taiwan's commitment to gender equality and the elimination of discrimination against women. The forum, aimed at implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), brought together international human rights scholars, local NGOs, and government agencies to exchange policies and regulations.
Advancements and Challenges
Chen noted significant progress in Taiwan's legal system, including the decriminalization of adultery, legalization of same-sex marriage, and amendments to laws preventing gender-based violence. However, she acknowledged ongoing challenges in women's employment, economic equality, and marital and family systems. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the United Nations' adoption of CEDAW, a convention recognized by over 90% of countries worldwide, underscoring its global importance.
Taiwan's Commitment to Gender Equality
Taiwan has been at the forefront of gender equality, with Chen highlighting the early attempts to establish reporting mechanisms under CEDAW and the mobilization of women's groups in the late 1980s. Efforts in the 1990s to amend civil laws have led to significant legal reforms, promoting gender equality. As the former chair of the Council of Labor Affairs, Chen played a pivotal role in the passage of the Gender Equality in Employment Act in 2002. Since Taiwan's first CEDAW national report in 2009, the island has completed four review cycles, the most among all human rights conventions.
Chen emphasized that human rights and gender equality are universal values that require continuous effort and collaboration with civil society. She concluded that the pursuit of human rights is ongoing, and Taiwan will persist in its efforts to defend democracy, freedom, and gender equality.
