Mon, Aug 28, 2000 page3

• Women's post-921 needs ignored

  DISASTER RELIEF The Government's quake policies should do more to address the difficulties faced by the quake's female victims, a women's group says

  • By Chuang Chi-ting / STAFF REPORTER
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  The government should consider the interests of women when forming 921 quake reconstruction policies, representatives from the League of Taiwan Women (台灣女人連線) said at a press conference yesterday.

  Representatives from the group described the nation's reconstruction policies as flawed, saying they do little to address the difficulties of the earthquake's female victims, especially those living in agricultural areas.

  Because Taiwan's social structure favors men and emphasizes urban development, the group said, the needs of women in agricultural areas go unrecognized.

  

  This file photo shows relatives praying for their loved ones who were caught in a collapsed building after last year's 921 earthquake. Women have been ignored in post-quake reconstruction programs, according to a recent survey by the League of Taiwan Women.

  TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO

  "Women have been ignored by reconstruction programs while the welfare of many other underprivileged groups has garnered intensive attention," said Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青), secretary-general of the women's group.

  Since last year's devastating quake, the League of Taiwan Women has been working to help female victims of the deadly temblor, especially in small towns in central Taiwan.

  A recent survey conducted by the group indicates that -- like most quake victims -- women who survived the quake are concerned about the lack of job opportunities and the financial pressures 921 has placed on their families.

  In addition, the lack of permanent housing remains a major concern.

  Because the 921 quake damaged or destroyed most farm fields and factories, a number of female victims have lost job opportunities, which were often performed on a part-time basis.

  "These women are desperate to find a job to support their families," Hsu said.

  "Financial difficulties have triggered arguments and quarrels in some families," she added.

  According to the group's survey, roughly 33 percent of women affected by the quake are in families that earn less than NT$20,000 monthly.

  In addition, some women are limited by cultural values that emphasize a women's role as family caretaker over her education, said Liu Shu-chung (劉淑瓊), of the National Alliance for Post-earthquake Reconstruction(全國民間災後重建聯盟).

  Thus, Liu said, women who have passed up education earlier in life are not able to find jobs with good salaries.

  Moreover, according to the League of Taiwan Women, female quake victims have also been preoccupied caring for family members hurt during the earthquake. Their role as a caretaker often makes it difficult to take on a job.

  Another major problem facing women in afflicted quake areas is the difficulty in obtaining mortgages from banks.

  "Victims who lost their properties or documents proving ownership of their real estate are always rejected by the bank," Hsu noted.

  In addition, the women's group said that the quality of life in the temporary housing units is a major concern of female quake victims.

  The poor design of the homes has caused drainage problems; hot and rainy days make life in the temporary housing units unbearable, and sometimes jeopardize the health of family members.

  Roughly a third of the respondents to the group's survey said that financial disputes resulting from the quake have led to arguments or, in some cases, domestic abuse.

  The league said that their data indicates that problems facing women in agricultural areas may have been underestimated due to their poor access to information and their unwillingness to make family affairs public.
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