《TAIPEI TIMES》 Taiwan first in Asia in OECD gender index

CHALLENGES REMAIN: Taiwan has room to improve, including in the Cabinet, and also to address inequal...…

Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun speaks in an opening ceremony of an international review on Taiwan’s fifth report on the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

CHALLENGES REMAIN: Taiwan has room to improve, including in the Cabinet, and also to address inequalities brought on by technology, Control Yuan members said

By Chung Li-hua and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Taiwan ranked sixth among 179 countries and first in Asia in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s （OECD） Social Institutions and Gender Index, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun （鄭麗君） said yesterday.

The Executive Yuan held an international review of Taiwan’s fifth report on the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women （CEDAW）.

Taiwan has voluntarily submitted national reports based on the convention since 2009, preparing them with input from government agencies, civil groups, academics and experts, Cheng said.

The development of gender equality in Taiwan has been closely tied to the nation’s democratization, she said, adding that tomorrow marks the 39th anniversary of the lifting of martial law.

Gender equality efforts evolved from initially resisting private discrimination to advancing public rights, with amendments to the Civil Code, gender equality laws and harassment prevention protections building a legal foundation for gender equality, the vice premier said.