TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said her goal is 50% female representation in the Legislative Yuan at a speech on Thursday (April 18).

The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) invited Hsiao to speak at its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) event on Thursday. She spoke about inclusion and female representation in Taiwan’s parliament, per CNA.

The vice president-elect said when she returned to Taiwan from the U.S. in her 20s and became a legislator, the percentage of women lawmakers was 20%. However, when she left Taiwan in 2020, the percentage had exceeded 40%.

Her goal is to increase representation to 50%, which she believes will soon be achieved. She said Taiwan has elected a female president and two female vice presidents, adding, “This is a better record than the U.S.”

She recalled that more than 20 years ago she often heard comments about gender bias in the legislature. Nowadays, if such comments were made, the speakers would be condemned, she suggested.

Hsiao also highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in gender equality in Asia, achieving many "firsts," including being the first country to legalize LGBTQ marriage rights and having the highest proportion of women lawmakers. In July last year the government took swift action to amend the Gender Equity Employment Act, Gender Equality Education Act, and Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, she said.

Even so, Hsiao stressed that there is still room for further improvement in Taiwan.