Written by Ti-han Chang. This article explores a literary landscape where unique Austronesian cultural references blend with fantastical narratives of speculative realism which has given rise to a groundbreaking subgenre in eco-literature, Speculative Indigenous Fiction, in Taiwan. The author calls the new wave of fictional writing the new AI—‘Artificial Indigeneity’.
Written by Hon-min Yau. This article examines Taiwan’s recent development and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Sensing the incoming grand trend of AI development, Taiwan’s “Year 0” for AI came in 2017. At the time, AI-enabled devices such as smart speakers or smart TVs have been the focus of the consumer market, but other emerging AI-enabled services in fields such as object recognition, medical diagnosis, customer service, and vehicle self-driving were seen by Taiwan as new economic opportunities for Taiwan’s development.
Written by Hsiu-Yun Wang. This article reviews the six decades during which the terms used to describe “sexual harassment” have evolved, and victims’ experiences have shifted from suffering in silence and depending on their fathers for justice to being able to take action themselves. However, many fundamental challenges remain unchanged.
Written by Ting-Sian Liu. This article explores how gender-sensitive and inclusive environments emerged from the recent Bluebird action, challenging past cultures of misogyny and discrimination. It examines how the #MeToo movement has contributed to creating new spaces for collective healing that push social movements in Taiwan forward in thinking about the politics of difference.
Written by Sheng-Hui Tseng. The workplace of politics, permeated by a culture of silence and cover-up, creates a hostile work environment for women that hinders them from seeking help or speaking out against sexual harassment. Breaking this culture requires the collective efforts of politicians, political parties, and the public.
Written by Sheng-Hui Tseng. The #MeToo movement in 2023 prompted revisions to gender equality laws, incorporating key changes such as broadening the scope of these laws, defining power-abused sexual harassment, and extending the timeframe for filing complaints. However, challenges in the workplace of politics persist due to deep-rooted patriarchal culture and informal power dynamics.
Written by Yi-Ping Hsieh. Taiwan has seen a dramatic increase in internet and social media use among adolescents, leading to heightened concerns over online sexual violence. This article focuses on unwanted online sexual solicitation among Taiwanese youth, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and a multifaced approach to protect Taiwanese youth.
Written by Linshan Jiang. “Fan Si-Chi’s First Love Paradise,” the most influential book of Taiwan’s #MeToo movement, was published in English translation this May. This review points out the Confucian patriarchal system of East Asian society in which the story is embedded and underscores the novel’s powerful message that “rage is a virtue” in the fight against such oppressive situations.
Written by Amélie Keyser-Verreault and Hsu Yu-Yin. This article examines historical contextualisation elements and discusses the main characteristics of the yuezi centres in Taiwan. It also points out challenges that the professionalisation and institutionalisation of postpartum care brings about.
Written by Lana Chikhungu. In both Taiwan and Malawi, adolescent pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of physical and mental health issues. Also observed in both Taiwan and Malawi during the COVID-19 pandemic is the higher risk women were exposed to gender-based violence. Studies on pregnancy in Taiwan during the pandemic focused on how the disease affected pregnancy and maternal care practices and how the disease had an impact on sex life. This article provides insights into teenage pregnancies, child marriage and girl child sexual abuse in Malawi.
Written by Lin Pei-ying and Isabelle Cockel. This article is dedicated to the late Shih Chou Ching-chiang, a forerunner of modern midwifery in Taiwan. It traces the development of midwifery in Taiwan including related education, licensing, medical system, laws and policies.
Written by Jung Chen. This article begins by examining the current Assisted Reproductive Act in Taiwan. Its exclusion of Tongzhi couples’ leads many to seek transnational surrogacy services. Recognising the controversy surrounding the services in LGBTQ+ community, the author argues for ‘flexible moral boundaries’ to distinguish between ‘problematic’ and ‘ethical’ surrogacy practices.
Taiwan Insight 