On the occasion of International Women's Day, to be celebrated March 8, Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday conveyed his gratitude to all the women of Taiwan, whether at home or in the workplace, for making quiet yet significant contributions to the nation.
Taiwan in recent years has made noticeable progress in the advancement of women's rights and gender equality following efforts to implement the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Taiwan, the premier said. He expressed hope that the government can even do more to transform Taiwan into a fair society in which every individual is able to realize their full potential without limitations based on gender.
The Executive Yuan's Department of Gender Equality said that using methods from the United Nations Development Programme's Gender Inequality Index, the government ranked Taiwan eighth worldwide and first in Asia for gender equality in 2017. As the nation continues to promote CEDAW, implement the Executive Yuan's Gender Equality Policy Guidelines, and protect the rights of women and girls everywhere, Taiwan's women are emerging in more prominent roles across society and are indeed "holding up half the sky" in Taiwan's economy.
Looking ahead, the Executive Yuan will work actively to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias, expand public child care and education services, strengthen women's economic empowerment and political participation, and alleviate the burdens women bear. All of these efforts will enable women to achieve their full talent potential in any field they choose, the department said.