“WoMen Can Help”: Feminine Strength in a Post-COVID World

Though Taiwan is often perceived as leading the push for women’s rights and gender equality in Asia, activists still face a persistent patriarchal culture and society-wide complacency. On the question of the evolution of the feminist movement in Taiwan since the inception of Women’s March, Lin says that “Taiwan has undergone many waves of feminist movements, and currently we’re in the third wave – but we hope to bring the movement to the fourth wave. Fourth wave feminism concerns itself with issues of body autonomy and protection of sex workers, which would probably challenge society’s bottom line for acceptance.”  At this, Lin laughs a little.

“But these are important parts of the push for gender equality, especially for women’s rights,” Lin continues. “Because every field has women working in it – not just the traditional ‘strong women’ we see in politics or financial circles, but also in performing arts, or in industries that people are less likely to talk about, there are women who are just as important, and who can act as leaders.”Women’s March 2021 certainly delivers on its message; with face-masks on and flags in hand, the group marched through Dadaocheng, visiting sites where women have sparked historical change and mapping out a brief snapshot of Taiwan’s history through a feminist lens.

“What we want to do is build up women’s confidence, so that in the future we have enough strength to give back to society, and support other women and other gender groups going forward.”