A local women’s environmental protection group yesterday celebrated its decades-long efforts to help change stereotypes about housewives.
In 1987, a group of housewives decided to walk out of the kitchen to play a part in social activities through the creation of the Homemakers United Foundation.
Over the years, the foundation has initiated a series of actions to protect the environment.
These actions have included advocating waste sortage, promoting recycling, opposing nuclear power and paying close attention to food safety and forest conservation.
By voicing their opinions and taking action, housewives can contribute to society, foundation president Chen Man-li (陳曼麗) said at a celebration to mark the foundation’s 25th anniversary.
The foundation is currently focusing on issues such as US beef imports that contain ractopamine and creating an environment free of nuclear power, Chen said.
“We’re not opposed to imports of US beef,” Chen said. “However, because of safety concerns, we object to the import of beef containing ractopamine from the US.”
Ractopamine is a leanness--enhancing additive that is allowed in livestock feed in more than 20 countries, such as the US, but is banned in Taiwan, China and the EU.
The Taiwanese government has been under pressure from Washington and is considering whether to lift its ban on the use of ractopamine and allow the local sale of meat containing traces of the drug.
Amid speculation that the government is leaning toward lifting the ban, several local groups, including the foundation, have staged several protests against the use of ractopamine.
However, the government has reiterated that it has no predetermined stance on the issue and would make its decision based on professional opinions and risk control evaluations.
The foundation also plans to participate in a nationwide demonstration against nuclear energy on Sunday, the first anniversary of Japan’s devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami that resulted in a nuclear crisis in the country, Chen said.
As part of its anniversary event, the foundation is also holding a photograph exhibition at the Taipei Water Park to showcase its efforts to create a better, sustainable environment for Taiwan.
The exhibition will run through March 31.
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