TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Experts from Taiwan and the Czech Republic hosted an online forum focusing on women’s and LGBTQ rights on Wednesday (August 3rd) as part of the Prague Pride Festival 2021 week.

The meeting, entitled “Dialogue on Progress Towards Gender Equality – Czech Republic and Taiwan”, was co-hosted by the Gender Equality Committee (GEC) of the Taiwan Cabinet and the City Government of Taiwan. Prague. This is the first time the two countries have teamed up to host an event highlighting gender issues, CNA reported.

Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib and Taiwan Goodwill Ambassador for Women’s Empowerment Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) both gave opening remarks. Hrib said the gender pay gap in the Czech Republic is one of the largest in the EU and noted that strict anti-LGBTQ policies in several Central European countries show a decline in the freedom in the region, CNA said.

Tradition Responsibility Prosperity Party (TOP 09) Leader Marketa Adamova said, as in many countries, that there are few high-ranking women in government in the Czech Republic, according to a press release from the GEC. She said balancing education, work, life and family support is key to advancing the role of women in policymaking.

Lin said Taiwan’s promotion of general gender policies has significantly reduced stereotypes and prejudices against women participating in politics. GEC General Manager Ku Hui-yin (辜慧瑩) said that by analyzing the gender-specific data, policies and laws implemented by the government of Taiwan, society has become more inclusive of different perspectives of kind.

Meanwhile, Prague Pride President Czeslaw Walek and GEC Commissioner Jennifer Lu (呂欣潔) also shared their experiences in promoting equality in marriage. A bill on same-sex marriage is currently before the parliament of the Czech Republic.