November 14th, 2017
(As prepared for Delivery)
Good morning!
It is my great honor to attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 GCTF Workshop on “Building a Bright Future for Women Entrepreneurs in Tech”. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of the distinguished participants of this workshop.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Foundation for Women's Rights Promotion and Development for hosting this event and the American Institute in Taiwan for helping gather such a strong field of professional participants from Asia-Pacific countries.
It is heartwarming to see so many experts and advocates from 12 countries across the Asia Pacific region gathering here to discuss about how to advance women's rights and opportunities. It is even better to see this workshop marks the fruit of Taiwan–U.S. joint efforts.
Taiwan and the United States have been dedicated to building a comprehensive, durable and mutually beneficial partnership over the past years. In order to further strengthen our relationship and effectively respond to emerging global challenges, the two countries established the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) in June, 2015. The GCTF not only institutionalizes the long-time bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S., but also functions as a multilateral mechanism for Taiwan to contribute its expertise to the advancement of the region and the globe. The GCTF offers a great platform for future cooperation on issues we all care about, such as women empowerment, public health, energy security, and digital economy. This is a platform for Taiwan and the U.S. to work with our regional partners to tackle regional and global concerns through training programs and sharing experience.
By having this second time international workshop focusing on women's empowerment under GCTF, we are showing the international community that women and girls are an important part of our foreign policy. This is also an area Taiwan government has made great strides on. Allow me to briefly share with you our contributions and achievements.
In 1997, the Committee of Women's Rights Promotion was established under our Executive Yuan. Since then, private women organizations began to gradually use the committee as a platform of participative democracy and for cooperation with the government on women empowerment. In 2002, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment was promulgated, followed by the Gender Equity Education Act in 2004.
Furthermore, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was approved by our legislature in 2007, and its implementing laws were passed and became effective in 2012. These actions not only demonstrated our determination of promoting women's right, but also ensure that our policies are in line with the international standards, even when we are barred from participating related international organizations and conventions.
I am sure you are well aware that we elected our first female president last year. We also elected a record number of women to our parliament, which is 38% of total seats, the highest percentage in Asia. In terms of women's entrepreneurship, Taiwan was ranked number 6th in Asia –Pacific region by MasterCard Inaugural Women's Entrepreneurial Index in 2016. Meanwhile, according to the report of our ministry of Economic Affairs in 2016, we have more than one-third of women entrepreneurs in the area of medium and small business, especially there are more and more women dedicated themselves to entrepreneurship in Tech, showcasing the promising potential of women's entrepreneurship in Taiwan.
We have achieved much in advancing women's rights and opportunities, but we understand more can be done both at home and abroad. Promoting women's right is a mission beyond borders. It requires our joint efforts. All of you seated here have been advocating women's rights or have been role models of what women can accomplish in the society. Taiwan stands with you in the pursuit of this noble cause.
Again, welcome to Taiwan. I hope you'll take some time to experience Taiwan and learn more about our culture during your stay here. I also encourage you to stay in touch with our representative offices in your respective countries and all of the distinguished participants when you go back, and continue this friendship well beyond the end of the visit.
Thank you!