The first of its kind in the Chinese world, "World Action Forum for Sex Work Right" was held recently in Taipei. Participants included sex workers, prostitution rights activists, scholars and legal attorneys. During the conference, the "Swedish experience" and "Japanese experience" often cited by anti-prostitution groups were strongly criticized by both Swedish and Japanese delegates as infringements on the human rights of sex workers and as direct causes for underground prostitution and its painful consequences. Deputy Mayor of Sydney, Australia, also pointed out that, since the legalization of prostitution in 1979, sex workers have been able to organize and fight for their own rights. This experience exemplifies that the decriminalizing prostitution is the direction to head for. (1998.5.25-26 China Times, Womenet)

During a protest by Taipei's licensed prostitutes and some participants of the International Forum at Taipei City Government, surrounded by the police, one foreign delegate, failed to kiss a police officer, blew him an air kiss. The City Government refused to accept the letter of endorsement presented by the protestors on the ground that foreigners penned the letter. The demonstration thus moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ended up at the Presidential Office. A spokesperson from the Presidential Office accepted the letter and promised to turn it over to Taipei City Mayor Chen. A Japanese lawyer strongly urged that Taiwan Government deal with this international issue directly. (1998.5.27 China Times)

In response to waves of protest, Taipei City Government erected a bulletin board for public opinions in front of its building during the "International Conference Week." Taipei Alliance of Licensed Prostitute and a number of foreign delegates organized a demonstration and demanded that the bulletin board should be changed to "Licensed Prostitution Plaza." (1998.5.29 The Liberty Times)

The organizers of this International Forum will release a video and put on sale on memorial pins and posters in order to raise funds for attending the AIDS Conference in Switzerland later this year and to organize an association for the rights of sex workers in Taiwan. For information, please contact Zhen Zun-Qi at (phone) (02) 2392-3670, or (fax) (02) 2351-7580.

With the assertion of the two female legislators: Hsin-Lu Fan and Chi-Da Hsieh, the Judicial Committee of the Legislative Yuan decided to delete Article 236 of the Criminal Code that rape charges are to be prosecuted on a filing basis, which means rapes charges are going to be publicly prosecuted. Both male and female legislators argued fiercely during the meeting. Male legislator Guo-Chung Huang held the view that the female victims' privacy should be taken into account and the change should be made with precaution. Legislator Fan argued that "so why is gang rape not on a filing basis? Don't female victims of gang rape have privacy?" (1998.5.26 China Times)

In addition, the moral chapter of the Criminal Code was also amended: A. The definition of "sexual intercourse" is relaxed. Oral sex, sodomy and foreign object insertion are included. B. Victims of sexual assault are changed from female to both sexes. C. Add uses of means of transportation to committing rape are considered as higher degree crime and the penalties thereof are stricter. D. Rape charges may be filed between husbands and wives. (1998.5.26 China Times)

The Ministry of Legal Affairs objected to the amendment of the rape charges of the Criminal Code by the Legislative Yuan and they planned to seek official repeal. The reasons are: A. Females may refuse to testify and the number of unsolved cases may increase. B. France is the only country in the world to include male as the possible victimed subject. In such cases, both parties may accuse each other with rapes. The "Preventive Measures against Sexual Assault" aim to protect victims' privacy and to avoid further harms done through interrogation process. (1998.5.27 China Times)

Laws against Domestic Violence were passed by the legislatures. Under these laws, victims of domestic violence can pursue civil law protection and demand restraint and eviction orders on the victimizers. (1998.5.29 China Times)

Several out-dated civil laws were lifted, including the restriction placed on people committed adultery that they ere not allowed to marry legally within six months. (1998.5.29 China Times)

Several women members on the Committee on Public Prosecution Reform attracted media's attention. However, the media employed rhetoric that perpetuate stereotypical images of women by describing them as; "obedient," combining gentle traits with firm political demands" and "full of nostalgia." One newspaper even stated that "after all, these girls still want to look pretty." (1998.5.20 China Times)

In "hard-core" news such as prosecutors' struggle for more investigative resources, "women" were singled out as "softeners" by the media. Such attitude shows striking semblance to the First World's "exoticism" of Third World countries. When covering female prosecutors, the media show their biases by highlighting the familial functions they perform, their looks and even "feminine traits." Such a "gossip column" treatment only serves to expose the stereotypes some journalists hold against women.