The gender gap in Taiwan is narrowing as evidenced by the greater numbers of women receiving higher education and their rising levels of labor participation, average salaries, and political and social activism, Premier Chang San-cheng said at the Cabinet meeting today.
The premier made the remarks after a briefing by the Executive Yuan's Department of Gender Equality (DGE). He affirmed the DGE, various ministries and local governments for their performance in promoting the rights of women.
"Taiwan will soon be faced with a dwindling workforce," noted Premier Chang. "Although women's labor participation rate has increased, government agencies should continue their efforts in empowering all women at work and home, encouraging men to improve workplace and family environments, and helping women reach their full potential to contribute to national competitiveness."
In the spirit of the HeForShe campaign launched by the United Nations organization UN Women, Taiwan's government will continue advancing concepts of equality between men and women. To bring more women into the labor market and economic activities, said the DGE, the government will also take concrete measures such as establishing a complete care services system, encouraging the sharing of household chores, offering flexible hours or work-at-home options, fostering a family-friendly working environment, and putting more women in decision-making roles in public and private sectors.
Pushing men and women to their full potentials and helping both genders balance work and family responsibilities can bring about better economic and social development, the DGE added.