Woman laws at Taiwan
Taiwan has a robust framework of laws protecting the rights and freedoms of women, providing for gender equality in areas such as marriage, family, employment, violence, and reproductive rights. Here’s an overview of the laws related to women in Taiwan:
⚖️ Key Women-Related Laws in Taiwan
🔹 1. Marriage and Family Law
Minimum age for marriage: Both men and women must be at least 18 years old to marry under the Civil Code.
Marriage Equality: Taiwan is the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019 under the Marriage Equality Act.
Divorce: Taiwan’s laws provide for no-fault divorce. Both men and women can initiate a divorce, and the grounds for divorce include adultery, cruelty, or abandonment.
Custody: The best interest of the child is the main guiding principle. Custody is usually awarded to the mother if the children are under 7 years old. After that, custody may be shared or awarded to the father.
🔹 2. Violence Against Women
Domestic violence: The Domestic Violence Prevention Act provides protections for women against violence from family members. This includes restraining orders and legal recourse for women experiencing abuse.
Sexual assault and harassment: These are illegal under Taiwan's Criminal Code. Sexual harassment in the workplace is specifically addressed under the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act.
Rape: Taiwan criminalizes rape, and there are aggravated penalties for cases involving minors or extreme violence.
Domestic abuse and human trafficking: There are legal provisions for shelter, financial support, and counseling for victims of abuse or trafficking.
🔹 3. Reproductive Rights
Abortion: Taiwan legalized abortion in 1985 under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights Act. Women can seek an abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy under certain circumstances (e.g., health risks, fetal abnormalities, or in cases of rape or incest).
Contraception: Available and widely used. The government provides subsidies for birth control and reproductive health services.
Parental leave: Taiwan offers 8 weeks of paid maternity leave and provides paternity leave for fathers as well, under the Labor Standards Act.
🔹 4. Employment and Workplace Rights
Equal pay: Taiwan’s Labor Standards Act mandates equal pay for equal work, and women are protected from discrimination in hiring, promotion, and wages based on gender.
Maternity leave: In addition to the 8 weeks of paid maternity leave, women are entitled to unpaid parental leave under the Act of Gender Equality in Employment.
Sexual harassment: Taiwan has enacted the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, requiring employers to take measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
🔹 5. Political Participation
Women in politics: Women are encouraged to participate in public office, and there are no legal barriers to women running for elected positions. Taiwan has had a female president (Tsai Ing-wen) since 2016.
Quota systems: Taiwan’s political parties encourage female representation through gender quotas in local elections.
🔹 6. Gender Equality
Gender Equality in Employment: The Act of Gender Equality in Employment promotes equal rights for men and women in the workplace, covering aspects like work-life balance, wage equality, and sexual harassment prevention.
Gender-based violence: Taiwan has policies to address and prevent gender-based violence, and there are resources for survivors, including shelters and counseling services.
🔹 7. Nationality and Citizenship Laws
Citizenship for children: Taiwanese women can pass on citizenship to their children born abroad, which is not always the case in many countries where only the father can pass on nationality.
🔹 8. Legal Protections for Pregnant and Working Women
Protection from dismissal: Pregnant women cannot be dismissed from their jobs during pregnancy or within three months after childbirth under the Labor Standards Act.
Flexible work arrangements: The government encourages workplace policies that allow flexible work to accommodate both men and women, especially working mothers.
🔹 9. Progressive Legal Reforms
Taiwan’s legal framework for women's rights has undergone significant reforms, with progressive changes in gender equality, sexual harassment, and family law over the past few decades.
The government has also worked on promoting public awareness and education on gender equality.
🌍 Global Influence
Taiwan is widely recognized for its progressive stance on gender equality and human rights. It has worked to align with global human rights standards and is a strong advocate for the rights of women in international forums.
Taiwan is one of the more progressive countries in Asia regarding women's rights, providing strong legal protections and a culture of empowerment.
RELATED Blog
0 comments