Exhibition Information:


"100 Years of Women's Rights Development in Taiwan: Milestones and Achievements"

This exhibition traces the evolution of women's rights in Taiwan over the past century, from pivotal historical moments to significant achievements. It showcases the progress made in promoting gender equality, dismantling stereotypes, and advocating for women's rights. The following are key milestones highlighted in the exhibition:


 

 
  • 1884: The completion of the "Tamsui Female Seminary," the first girls' school in Taiwan, marked a turning point in the fate of Taiwanese girls, breaking the misconception of "virtue over talent."
  • 1887: The establishment of the "Sin-lou Female School" in Tainan, which later became the precursor to the "Chang Jung Girls' High School," was the first modern Western-style girls' school in southern Taiwan. A key requirement for admission was the "abolition of foot-binding," combining the practice's elimination with the promotion of girls' education, which held significant importance in late Qing Dynasty Taiwanese society.
  • 1925: The birth of the first indigenous independent women's organization in Taiwan, the "Changhua Women's Mutual Assistance Association," sowed the seeds of women's liberation consciousness. The following year (1926), the "Cho-lo Women's Progress Society" was established in Chiayi, initiating discussions on gender culture.
  • 1935: The Nationalist government initiated the New Life Movement and established the "Women's Guidance Committee," with Madame Chiang Kai-shek serving as its director. The committee engaged in relief, nursing, childcare, wartime service, and production work, making significant contributions during the war effort.
  • 1946: The Taiwan Provincial Women's Association was established, becoming the first legally established provincial women's group after World War II. It actively advocated for the abolition of prostitution and women's liberation, and engaged in the protection of "adopted daughters" (young girls given up for adoption). In 1951, following an initiative by the Taiwan Provincial Government and Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the "Taiwan Provincial Committee for the Movement to Protect Adopted Daughters" was established to legally regulate the system of adopting and raising girls, aiming to improve their unequal status. The establishment of the Adopted Daughters Association echoed the trend of women's rights development.
  • 1947: The "Constitution of the Republic of China" was promulgated and implemented, explicitly stating the principle of "gender equality," showcasing the first connection between Taiwan's women's movement and international standards.
  • 1950: Madame Chiang Kai-shek founded the "Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League" to provide care for the families of military personnel, and after withdrawing from the United Nations, established 22 branch organizations overseas to facilitate international connections and resources.
  • 1976: Ms. Annette Lu and others established the "Pioneer Publishing Co., Ltd.," the first Asian publisher to integrate feminism and the publishing industry, advocating for new feminism.
  • 1982: The establishment of the "Awakening Magazine Society" promoted gender equality and raised women's self-awareness, continuing the women's movement of the 1970s.
  • 1985: The Women's Studies Center at National Taiwan University was established, becoming the first university-based women's studies center in Taiwan. In 1990, the "Journal of Women and Gender Studies" was published, becoming the first gender studies journal in Asia.
  • 1987: The "Awakening Magazine Society" was reorganized into the "Awakening Foundation," becoming Taiwan's first feminist organization after World War II. Subsequently, various women's organizations were established with different focuses on issues, including the Modern Women's Foundation, Women's Rescue Foundation, Lih-Sin Foundation, Evening Breeze Association, and Homemakers United Foundation.
  • 1989: The Modern Women's Foundation established the first "Rape Crisis Center" in Asia, initiating legislative efforts for women's personal safety and rights.
  • 1990: The Awakening Foundation and other "Civil Society Organizations' Family Law and Kinship Editing Committee" launched a 20-year campaign for legal revisions.
  • 1992: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the establishment of a cross-agency project team for Taiwanese comfort women, and the Women's Rescue Foundation began work on the lives and medical care of comfort women, as well as litigation and compensation against Japan and historical documentation.
  • 1997: The "Executive Yuan Committee on Women's Rights Promotion" was established, officially integrating the women's movement into the national system. The following year, the Ministry of the Interior sponsored the establishment of the "Foundation for Women's Rights Promotion & Development."
  • 2000: Ms. Annette Lu became the first female Vice President of the Republic of China.
  • 2005: The Executive Yuan's "Gender Mainstreaming Implementation Plan for Various Ministries and Agencies" was approved, providing a foundation for comprehensive gender mainstreaming policies.
  • 2007: The President signed and promulgated the "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women" (CEDAW), showcasing Taiwan's proactive adherence to international norms on women's rights.
  • 2008: The Ministry of the Interior established the National Women's Rights Museum, undertaken by the Foundation for Women's Rights Promotion & Development.
  • 2010: The amendment to the Organization Act of the Executive Yuan was passed, leading to the establishment of the "Gender Equality Department of the Executive Yuan" in 2011.
  • 2011: The first nationwide "National Women's Policy Conference" was held on International Women's Day, with participation from various Executive Yuan ministries, local governments, and private women's groups, collectively discussing gender equality policy guidelines.
 
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