A new book, recently published by the Taiwanese government funded Foundation for Women’s Rights Promotion and Development has found that as much as 30 percent of women leave the job market after they get married.
The Taiwan Women Yearbook – First Edition found that the number of Taiwanese women leaving the work force when they get married is commiserate with their level of education. Using official tallies the book offers that the ratio of women leaving their jobs after they get married is:
- 46% quit when they marry if they have only received the minimum nine year’s of education or less
- 35% quit if they have the equivalence of a high school diploma
- 16% if they have received a degree from university
The book’s finding it seems has found that regardless of their education level, more than 60 percent of women have left their jobs when they married and not returned to the job market. Overall the book gives an insightful look into the changing landscape of the social structure in Taiwan.
For example, in 2005, there were 43.5 million women in the workforce, up just 1.6% from 1985. That same year, the number of men in the workforce dropped to 67.6% which is down 10% from the numbers in 1981. Advocates for women’s rights there believe that the government has not done enough to encourage working women to return to the market place.
This book is the first of its kind every published in Taiwan. The information collated within the book demonstrates the changes and developments in Taiwan women’s rights and gender equality. There are also sections detailing not only the difficulties but also the progress made by women’s rights advocacy groups and the government.
While I may not live in Taiwan, I found the information interesting and insightful. The government in Taiwan and the advocacy groups seem determined to do what they can to present women with as many options as they can – and as a woman, I have to say this can’t be a bad thing.
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