Following former department of health minister Yaung Chih-liang’s (楊志良) outrageous remark that domestic violence exists because of the public’s inability to beat up President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) was recently criticized for once calling Tsai an “old maid.”
It is as if Gou’s team is a club made up of chauvinistic, “deep-blue” old geezers.
What is frustrating is that in the face of criticism, Gou chose to dismiss his remark about Tsai by asking people to “let bygones be bygones,” instead of offering a public apology.
Gou’s response was highly similar to responses from perpetrators of sexual harassment, who consider their disrespectful remarks or behavior as “nothing but a joke,” and even accuse the victims of not outrightly rejecting sexual harassment.
Tsai’s policies are open to criticism and debate, but personal insults or jibes about a person’s gender is unacceptable.
To create a harmonious society, members of the different sexes need to respect each other and acknowledge that sexist remarks are a matter that should not be treated lightly, but something that could hinder national improvement.
For a presidential candidate who is vying for the top job, Gou has failed to persuade voters that he can be a responsible and fitting leader by not mustering up the courage to face the music and apologize for his gaffe.
It would be better for Gou to start leaving his overbearing chauvinism at the door.
Lai Yen-cheng is a doctoral candidate at National Yangming Chiao Tung University and a member of the university’s Gender Equity Education Committee.
Translated by Rita Wang
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