Advocates and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday urged the government to issue a “period coin” to help young girls buy sanitary products, ahead of Taiwan Girls’ Day tomorrow.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare could model the initiative after the Ministry of Culture’s “culture coin” policy, Friendly-to-All Co-Parenting Organization director Chiang Hsin-yi (江心怡) told a news conference in Taipei.
The call also comes as the health ministry yesterday announced plans for a “health coin,” which could be earned by getting checkups and vaccinations, and used to purchase health-related products.
Photo: CNA
Chiang said that the health ministry could allocate funds and issue fixed sums to women aged 16 to 22 to use for purchasing sanitary products or other menstruation-related items.
A related program by the Ministry of Education with the same goals has been in effect since August 2023, but has received complaints from students regarding unfair labeling, insufficient product inventory and inconvenient locations, Chiang said.
However, the proposed “period coin” would enable girls to make autonomous choices, and would prevent beneficiaries from being labeled as poor or disadvantaged, DPP Legislator Chang Ya-lin (張雅琳) said.
Chang said that she hoped all girls would be able to freely discuss their periods in daily conversation and enjoy full autonomy over their bodies.
DPP Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) said she strongly supports the policy, which was proposed by student and teacher groups, and aims to promote menstrual equity.
Fan and Chang urged the health ministry to consider promoting the project, as it would not require amending any laws or the tax system to be implemented.
Also ahead of Girls’ Day tomorrow, the Taiwan Sport Forward Association, alongside DPP legislators Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) and Huang Jie (黃捷), yesterday urged the Ministry of Sports to formulate policies that uphold human rights, gender equality, and the rights of children and young people.
Minister of Sports Lee Yang (李洋) should address the imbalanced power dynamics between coaches and players, and truly modernize the sports industry, Chen said.
Huang said she was in talks with the sports ministry to participate in next year’s IWG Women and Sports Global Summit under the name of Taiwan, so that Taiwan would become a hub for sports equity in Asia.
DPP Legislator Chen Hsiu-pao (陳秀寶) urged the sports ministry to provide benefits and funding for female athletes, coaches and experts.
The sports ministry should consider bringing on board female athletes to form gender equality committees and provide the ministry with advice on gender equality policies, DPP Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) said.
DPP Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) said she hoped the government would encourage regular exercise for women and set aside women-only areas in public sports areas and women-only classes.
The sports ministry should foster a general willingness to exercise and encourage young people to take up sports, DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said, adding that the sports industry could also become a useful diplomatic tool.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
RSS