The Cabinet held the opening ceremony for the Fifth CEDAW National Report review meeting on Monday, July 13. Speaking at the opening, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君)  pointed to Taiwan’s high ranking among international lists: Taiwan is 10th out of 167 on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Cheng said that despite these positive numbers, the government won’t stop its pursuit of gender equality. 

CEDAW is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, often referred to as the "Women's Rights Code," which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. Since 2009, Taiwan has proactively submitted its own CEDAW national report. Since 2011, Taiwan has invited international review committee members to examine the report and submit national reports every four years. 2026 is the fifth time Taiwan has been reviewed by international experts to make recommendations on government efforts to promote gender equality and protect women’s human rights.

Cheng listed Taiwan’s gender equality development as inseparable from its democratization, making note of landmark legislation such as the Civil Code’s family law, the three gender equality laws, and a recent stalking and harassment prevention act. Through these, she said, a legal foundation for gender equality has been gradually established and used to promote a diverse view of what that means.

The vice premier also pointed out Taiwan’s progress as compared to international indicators. In terms of gender equality, Taiwan ranks high globally and in Asia, especially. The UNDP ranks Taiwan 10th out of 167 countries, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranks Taiwan as first in Asia.

Cheng said, “Taiwan [was] included in the OECD’s Social Institutions and Gender Index for the first time, where it ranked 6th out of 179 countries, and first in Asia. In 2024, the chairman mentioned that our legislators maintained a ratio of 40% [female], which is also the highest in Asia.” 

In terms of recent progress, she pointed to the government’s promotion of taking childcare leave on a day-by-day basis, instituted just this year. She pointed out that the number of male applicants has been rising monthly, exceeding female applicants for two consecutive months as of June. The Cabinet has also proposed further amendments to the law, like extending childcare leave and expanding flexible leave options, to allow parents to possibly receive an additional three months of childcare allowance – all with the aim of breaking down the traditional division of family care responsibilities.

Cheng outlined the government’s future goals, which include promoting a friendly workplace, supporting dual employment and dual care, reducing the gender pay gap, enhancing women’s participation in decision-making, and strengthening the prevention of gender-based violence.