Taiwan, officially the Rublic of China(ROC), is made up of more than 300 islands located in Eastern Asia and has a population of 23 millions, including the Hoklo ethic group, the most, Hakka ethic group, mainlanders, and 14 indigenous tribes recognized officially.
The head of state is the President. Taiwan's first-ever direct presidential elections was held in 1996. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) won the presidential election in 2000, ending Taiwan’s 55 years of rule by the Nationalist Party of China(KMT). In 2008, Taiwan enjoyed a second democratic transfer of power, when the KMT’s Ma Ying-jeou won the election for president.
In Taiwan, women's participation in political and public sectors increases continuously, nevertheless, when compare with men, there is still a long way to go. In the 2012 election, elected female legislators account for 33.63% of all seats.
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. Exports, led by electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals have provided the primary impetus for economic development.(1) In 2013, per capita GDP of Taiwan is USD 21,360.
Considering the high level of economic development of Taiwan and the high level of education of women, the international experts concerned that the employment rate of women is as low as 48%. They note that women’s responsibility for childcare is one of the main reasons for their low rate of employment.(2)
A growing ageing population and extremely low birth rate levels are concerns for the Taiwan government –measures to address the issue include schemes to encourage couples to have more children.
The minority women –women with disabilities, older women, indigenous women, migrant women, sexual minority women still face multiple discrimination within civil laws, regulations, customs and practices.
