Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday released his women's policy, promising to create jobs for 1 million women in eight years if elected.
Dubbed the "five guarantees," Hsieh promised to establish a gender equality committee under the Executive Yuan, increase government budget earmarked for related purposes and fully protect women's rights.
He also said he would create jobs for 1 million women in eight years.
Statistics show that about 4.1 million women were employed in 2005, an increase of 84,000 from the previous year. The number jumped to 4.3 million in 2006 and 4.4 million last year.
If 120,000 more women can get a job each year, a total of 960,000 women would enter the job market in eight years, he said.
Third, he said the government would provide NT$5 billion in low-interest, no-guarantor required loans to women who want to start their own business.
Fourth, the government would provide free computer learning courses to 100,000 women each year. Beginning last year, nonprofit-making groups can apply for government funding to provide computer training courses to women. The funding has benefited 10,000 women and is expected to benefit 20,000 more women this year.
Finally, the government would employ professional social workers to ensure individual safety of women and children.
The DPP candidate also signed on an agreement that offers "six promises" to the country's women.
He promised to hire more female officials in the government, ensure the safety of women, protect and respect female caretakers, prevent women from cultural discrimination, encourage the children of intermarriages to learn the language of their foreign parent and provide quality child-care facilities.
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), who attended the event as a special guest, said Hsieh could also work on correcting the misperception that women "are weak."
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