In the Vanguard of Social Change:

At the forefront of the times

With more women taking up careers, in the 1980s we reported on postpartum care centers, childcare facilities, and diaper services, documenting the changes in gender roles and the emergence of new industries.

Taiwan Panorama doesn’t shy away from “taboo” subjects. Articles like “On the Subject of Sex” (September 1988) discuss sex education and general perceptions of sex in Taiwan, while “In the Groove, or in a Rut?—Life in Middle Age” (March 2001) fearlessly ventures into the topic of middle-age sex.

Keeping abreast of changing times, Taiwan Panorama has also covered topical issues such as online dating, abortion, homosexuality, transgender people, and nontraditional families. These articles expand our discussion of gender equality beyond women to embrace the broader concepts of gender identity and even humanity itself.

Taiwan Panorama continues to explore issues related to gender equality from an avant-garde perspective. This photo shows a breast-shaped installation artwork made from betelnut boxes, from the article “Young Lust: Coming to Terms with Youth Sexuality in Taiwan” (December 1998). (photo by Pu Hua-chih)

“Dayway Chief: Pioneering Marriage Equality” (September 2019) tells the story of Chi Chia-wei’s lifelong fight for gay rights, bearing witness to the long road to Taiwan’s legalization of same-sex marriage in 2019. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)

In an article published in November 2002, Taiwan Panorama told the story of how Chung Ling became the first transgender person in Taiwan to adopt a child.

A voice of freedom

In the past 50 years, Taiwan Panorama has been documenting Taiwan’s pursuit of equality. In 2000, the newly elected President Chen Shui-bian enlisted more women into his government than any of his predecessors had done, including the vice president and nine ministers, several of whom were featured in our pages. In 2016 we witnessed the historic moment when Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan’s first female president.

We have also paid attention to men, throwing light on how Taiwanese society is gradually outgrowing stereotypical views of gender roles. Relevant articles explore topics such as men’s growing interest in fashion and grooming, stay-at-home dads, single fathers, and Taiwan’s first licensed male nanny. 

While in the 1990s we reported on how challenging it was for male Taiwanese workers in Silicon Valley to find spouses, more recently we have investigated the rise of transnational marriages and continue to pay attention to female immigrants in Taiwan. Far from treating them as outsiders, Taiwan Panorama regards these women as a new force in shaping our society. The articles attest to Taiwan’s transition from traditional family values to multicultural diversity.

Taiwan Panorama’s work on gender equality reflects Taiwan’s emergence as Asia’s leading champion of equality. From women’s rights to same-sex marriage, from the rise of women’s magazines to the diverse voices of immigrants, we have shown that freedom and equality should never be taken for granted. We are fortunate to be in Taiwan.

Originally from Thailand, Yadrung Chiou has often taken to the street to advocate for immigrants’ rights, fighting fearlessly for justice.

Gender should not be a stumbling block to professional development. Professional nanny Wu I-chang enjoys being surrounded by the children he cares for. (photo by Kent Chuang)

Tsai Ing-wen (front row, center) became Taiwan’s first female president in 2016—a historic moment for our pursuit of democracy and gender equality.