A delegation led by Minister without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng participated in the Women and the Economy Forum staged under the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum Aug. 20 in Seattle, underscoring government commitment to promoting gender equality in all aspects of society.
During his remarks at the forum’s High Level Policy Dialogue, Lo said more women in Taiwan have assumed leadership roles in recent years, as evidenced by the fact that more than 50 percent of cities and counties are now led by females. Policy also ensures that gender balance in environment and energy-related committees and councils does not drop below one third on either side.
The situation also holds true in the private sector, Lo said, citing surveys that show women occupy 26 percent of jobs in Taiwan’s offshore wind industry, as compared to the worldwide average of 22 percent. All the numbers reflect the government’s determination to advance gender equality and inclusivity.
According to the Department of Gender Equality under the Executive Yuan, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi also shared progress in government promotion of female economic participation and inclusive growth at the APEC’s WEF and Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting.
The deputy minister said the e-commerce surge of recent years has created more opportunities for female entrepreneurs and made flexible economic participation more feasible. He also brought participants up to speed on policy measures to foster female entrepreneurship, stressing the vital role women play when it comes to addressing social and public issues.
Since joining the APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to regional development in disaster prevention, food security, information and communications technology, SME development and women’s economic empowerment, among other key areas. (SFC-E)
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