Taiwan’s #MeToo movement has recently gained significant attention in society, highlighting the importance of addressing issues related to gender-based violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault. The #MeToo movement has had a global impact, including in Taiwan. Through social media and public disclosures, many women have shared their experiences and expressed solidarity with other survivors. This movement has raised greater awareness of gender equality and women’s rights in society, which is expected to accelerate government actions to address these issues.
Taiwan has long been actively promoting women’s issues within APEC, including advocating for gender equality, women’s employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and women’s health and education. Taiwan actively participates in APEC’s Women and Economy Forum and other relevant activities, sharing experiences and best practices with other economies to enhance women’s participation and status in economic and social development.
Taiwan’s efforts to promote women’s issues within APEC demonstrate its commitment to women’s rights and gender equality. Taiwan aims to foster progress in these areas through the following:
First, increased awareness and attention: These events have brought broader attention to gender-based violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault. This heightened awareness might encourage the government and stakeholders to place greater importance on women’s issues and take a more proactive stance within international platforms like APEC.
Second, enhanced discussion on the issues: The #MeToo movement’s momentum might lead to more in-depth and extensive discussions of women’s issues within Taiwan’s involvement in APEC. Taiwan can seize this opportunity to share experiences and best practices with other economies, thereby advancing gender equality, women’s employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and women’s health and education.
Third, increased international cooperation opportunities: The #MeToo movement might prompt Taiwan to more closely cooperate with other economies in addressing gender inequality and women’s rights issues. By strengthening collaboration, Taiwan can share experiences, set common goals, and explore future cooperation opportunities within the APEC framework to promote women’s participation and enhance their status in economic and social spheres.
The #MeToo movement might have influence on the promotion of women’s issues. By raising awareness, fostering deeper discussions and expanding cooperation opportunities, Taiwan can actively drive progress in gender equality and women’s rights on the international stage, while also supporting other developing economies in advancing similar issues.
Gary Chen is an associate research fellow in the Department of International Affairs at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research.
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