The Diplomat
According to a statement sent by the Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei, technological development and its relationship to gender equality will be the main theme of Taiwan Gender Equality Week, an event being held this 2023 in New York City as part of the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), which began on 6 March and will be extended until 17 March.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Women’s Rights since 2020, this year’s edition will be held in line with the CSW67 theme of Innovation, Technology and Women’s Empowerment, focusing on Taiwan’s efforts to create a more women-friendly virtual space.
The event’s first activity, called Women’s Empowerment Night, which took place yesterday on the eve of International Women’s Day, focused on the nation’s technology and innovation through a fashion show that integrated technology and costume design. It showcased Taiwan’s cultural diversity and its achievements in promoting technological development and gender equality.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the seminar Taiwan on the Main Stage: Promoting Gender Equality in the Digital Age will take place, in which Chern Yi-juang, the first female vice-minister of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, will share the nation’s efforts to advance gender mainstreaming and the progress made to date.
Also taking place until 17 March is the CSW67 NGO Forum, featuring 31 civic organisations and presentations on Taiwan’s use of technology to improve women’s medical well-being and protect women from violence.
The events will be streamed on the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A short video entitled The Power of Women, highlighting the achievements and aspirations of Taiwan’s female researchers and scientists, has also been posted on YouTube.
According to a report released on 31 January by the Taiwanese government’s Department of Gender Equality, based on data used to compile the United Nations Gender Inequality Index (GII), Taiwan’s performance in gender equality is outstanding, ranking first in Asia and seventh in the world.
