Lawmakers and rights groups yesterday said the Ministry of National Defense had devised unconstitutional recruiting regulations that discriminate against women and the handicapped for military academic institutions.
Women who have had an oophorectomy (surgical removal of an ovary) and people who are colorblind are barred from applying to military schools, while some military schools are male only, lawmakers told a press conference.
“We call on the ministry to immediately remove the unconstitutional and discriminating requirements, as well as change its outdated attitude to readjust to modern warfare,” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wu Yi-chen (吳宜臻) said.
Photo: CNA
According to ministry regulations, women who had oophorectomies or hysterectomies or who suffer from endometriosis and people who are colorblind or have difficulty differentiating colors are not allowed to apply to military institutions or serve as volunteers, while Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School only accepts male applicants between the ages of 14 and 18, Wu said.
The unfair requirements not only violate the Constitution, which protects all nationals from gender discrimination, but is also ironic given that Taiwan has relentlessly pushed for gender equality, she said.
The regulations infringe on women’s right to work and right to education, said Lee Chao-huan (李兆環), a lawyer from the Taipei Association for the Promotion of Women’s Rights.
The ministry had agreed to accept applicants who have had a hysterectomy after a review of recruiting requirements last year, Yang Jung-mu (楊榮木), an official representing the ministry’s Medical Affairs Bureau, said at the press conference.
“I have no idea why the clause still appears on the recruitment brochures this year,” he said, adding that women who had an oophorectomy are still barred from applying because of health concerns related to menopause and osteoporosis.
Yang said the ministry would conduct a complete review of application requirements for all military schools.
PEAK MONTHS: Data showed that on average 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the Pacific and South China seas annually, with about four forming per month in July and October One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday. The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan. It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said. It was moving in a
A Taiwanese academic yesterday said that Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Wang Xuefeng (王雪峰) disrespected Denmark and Japan when he earlier this year allegedly asked Japan’s embassy to make Taiwan’s representatives leave an event in Copenhagen. The Danish-language Berlingske on Sunday reported the incident in an article with the headline “The emperor’s birthday ended in drama in Copenhagen: More conflict may be on the way between Denmark and China.” It said that on Feb. 26, the Japanese embassy in Denmark held an event for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday, with about 200 guests in attendance, including representatives from Taiwan. After addressing the Japanese hosts, Wang
One of two tropical depressions that formed offshore this morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. It is expected to move in a northwesterly direction as it continues building momentum, possibly intensifying into Typhoon Mitag this weekend, she added. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is expected to approach southeast of Taiwan on Monday and pass through the Bashi Channel between Tuesday and Wednesday,
About nine Taiwanese are “disappeared,” detained, or otherwise deprived of freedom of movement in China each month, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday. Between Jan. 1 last year and Aug. 31 this year, 188 Taiwanese travelers went missing, were detained and interrogated, or had their personal freedom restricted, with some questioned in airports or hotel lobbies, the council said. In a statement ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the council urged people visiting China for any reason to be highly vigilant and aware of the risks. Of the reported cases, 50 people were “disappeared” after entering China, 19 were detained and 119 had