Taiwan Girls’ Day inaugurated

Taiwan Girls’ Day inaugurated

The Taiwan Girls’ Day was inaugurated on October 11, a move expected to strengthen the rights of girls nationwide, according to Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).

The development, which is in line with the International Day of the Girl Child adopted by the U.N. two years ago, underscores the government’s commitment to creating a friendly environment for girls and pursuing gender equality, Minister without Portfolio Joyce Yen Feng said.

“Taiwan is among the first countries to have adopted a similar measure upholding this core value,” she added.

Echoing Feng’s remarks, MOHW Deputy Minister Tseng Chung-ming said public and private sector efforts in recent years have seen Taiwan make great strides in gender equality promotion and women’s rights protection.

“But there is still room for improvement,” Tseng said, adding that the latest initiative is certain to generate more awareness among the public.

“We perceive it as also helping fast-track implementation of the Action Plan for Enhancement of Girls’ Rights launched by the Cabinet’s Department of Gender Equality in March this year,” he added.

Comprising 14 vision statements and 75 strategic measures, the project involves the Ministry of Education, MOHW, Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Justice. It aims to build social support for empowerment and investment in girls, as well as delivering equal opportunities for their self-fulfillment and development.

These opportunities focus on better ensuring physical and psychological health; investing in education and capability building; protecting physical safety; and eliminating bias in the media and cultural traditions.

The plan calls for breaking gender stereotypes portrayed by the media and changing discriminatory aspects in traditional customs. Specific measures include encouraging the production of gender-equal content by the media, promoting gender-sensitive practices in traditional customs and subsidizing related activities.

ENDS

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