The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) the Foundation of Women’s Rights Promotion and Development (FWRPD) are jointly holding Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) for a third year running. The timing of the programme again corresponds with the annual meeting in March of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The focus of the 66th session of CSW (CSW66) this year is achieving gender equality within the context of climate change. The TGEW organizers will be holding an online Climate Justice Leaders Forum, assisting Taiwanese NGOs to hold parallel meetings at the NGO CSW Forum, and hosting a Women’s Power Night reception on International Women’s Day with President Tsai Ing-wen as a guest speaker to kick things off.
The Women’s Power Night reception will be hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu at the Taipei Guest House at 6:00 p.m. on March 8—International Women’s Day. The event will be attended by female ambassadors, cabinet members, corporate representatives, experts and academics in the fields of gender equality and environmental protection, and leaders of local and international NGOs. The Vice President of Palau and US female political leaders will share their countries’ experiences in combating climate change via prerecorded video messages. Members of the public are invited to watch a livestream of the event on MOFA’s Facebook page.
The Climate Justice Leaders Forum will take place online at 8:30 p.m. Taipei time on March 15. High-profile speakers from the Americas, Europe, and Asia will be taking part in the webinar. The agenda is divided into a forum with political leaders, keynote speeches, and a dialogue with NGO leaders.
At the political leaders’ forum, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua will outline Taiwan’s policies and measures to enhance women’s participation in promoting clean energy. Former leader of the Green Party of England and Wales Baroness Natalie Bennett and Marshall Islands Minister of Education, Sports and Training Kitlang Kabua will also share their experiences. The NGO leaders’ dialogue will involve Founder and Executive Director of the US Human Impacts Institute Tara DePorte, Executive Director of the Palau Ebiil Society Ann K. Singeo, and Taiwanese climate activist Wang Hsuan-ju. The three women will share their journeys in fighting global warming. The event will be broadcast live simultaneously on MOFA’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. All are welcome to tune in.
The NGO CSW Forum is an important international meeting for civil society groups. The forum is an opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas in promoting gender equality and women’s rights. MOFA regularly provides assistance to Taiwanese NGOs taking part. At CSW66, nearly 20 participating organizations from Taiwan—including the Taipei, New Taipei, and Taichung city governments—will hold a total of 27 parallel events, setting a new high. From March 14 to 25, they will share the achievements of Taiwanese civil society in promoting gender equality, empowering women, and combating climate change. The meetings will demonstrate the creativity, organizational abilities, and resilience of Taiwanese women in contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To get involved and help promote gender equality during the TGEW, follow the FWRPD Twitter account @womensrightsTW and use the hashtags #TaiwanforHer and #Taiwan4ClimateJustice. By taking part in the online campaign, you can share Taiwan’s achievements in gender equality and call on the world to achieve gender equality and other SDGs.
