Legislators yesterday announced they would hold a provisional session next month to review revisions to three major laws to better address sexual abuse and harassment.
The announcement followed cross-caucus negotiations spurred by a series of recent allegations of sexual harassment against high-profile figures as Taiwan’s #MeToo movement gains traction.
The proposals would seek to amend the Act of Gender Equality in Employment (性別工作平等法), the Gender Equality Education Act (性別平等教育法) and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act (性騷擾防治法).
Photo: Screen grab from the Legislative Yuan livestream
However, the Executive Yuan must first finish its proposals and send them to the legislature by July 14, legislators said, adding that the legislature hopes to complete a review of the draft amendments by the end of next month.
Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said lawmakers must thoroughly cooperate across party lines in reviewing the amendments, saying “it is time for gender equality, an issue we need to face solemnly.”
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus convener William Tseng (曾銘宗) said his caucus’ versions of draft amendments are ready, and it is imperative that the government tackle the issue.
Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) on Friday said that he had instructed government agencies to propose revisions to the laws as allegations of sexual misconduct spread across the political field.
“No one wants sexual harassment to occur,” he said. “We hope to have the support of lawmakers across party lines to prevent further personal harm, assist the victims, safeguard them and protect their rights.”
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