Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Michelle Lin (林楚茵) today announced the establishment of two new parliamentary organizations aimed at bolstering international ties and showcasing Taiwan’s progress in gender equality.
The Pan-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ Alliance and Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Alliance were inaugurated at a ceremony at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei.
The ceremony was attended by Saint Lucia Ambassador to Taiwan Robert Kennedy Lewis, Belize Ambassador to Taiwan Katherine Vanessa Meighan and Acting Representative of the Korean Mission in Taipei Koh Sang-wook, as well as cross-party legislators and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times
During the ceremony, Lin said that Taiwan was the first nation in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and that more than 40 percent of the nation’s legislators are women.
These achievements demonstrate Taiwan’s deep-rooted commitment to gender equality and its position at the forefront in the region, she said, expressing hope that the new alliances would extend the nation’s influence globally.
The alliances aim to build stronger international connections, allowing the world not only to recognize Taiwan’s technological prowess, but also to witness the strength of Taiwanese women in politics, she said.
The alliances also seek to transform Taiwan’s high level of female political participation into diplomatic momentum by forming a cross-party “Women Power Taiwan” parliamentary delegation to deepen substantive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, she said.
With the Pacific Islands Forum to be hosted by Palau this year, Lin said she hopes the initiative would boost the international participation and visibility of Taiwan’s female legislators.
Meighan praised Taiwan’s high proportion of women in parliament, saying that more than 40 percent female representation is a remarkable benchmark for Belize to aspire to.
Women often bring balance and a willingness to compromise in decision-making, helping to identify common ground and improve legislation for future generations, she said.
The alliances count among their leadership vice presidents from across Taiwan’s major political parties.
Vice presidents of the Pan-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ Alliance include DPP legislators Fan Yun (范雲), Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) and Lo Mei-ling (羅美玲).
Vice presidents of the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Alliance include DPP legislators Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) and Huang Jie (黃捷), as well as Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Liu Shu-pin (劉書彬) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chang Chia-chun (張嘉郡), with members including DPP legislators Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純), Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) and Ngalim Tiunn (張雅琳).
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