This concept note states that if laws, policies, or practices
based on gender stereotypes in any sector make distinctions in
treatment whose purpose or effect is to impair or deny women’s
equal rights and fundamental freedom, it constitutes
discrimination, and the state parties have an obligation to
eliminate it. The term “gender stereotypes” includes practices that
assign specific attributes, characteristics, or roles based on maleor femaleness. It involves using knowledge of gender stereotypes
to form impressions of individual men or women or applying such
stereotypical views in one’s actions. The CEDAW Committee
emphasizes that states need to fix, transform, and eliminate gender
stereotypes, which are both a root cause and consequence of
discrimination against women. This reflects the complex
interaction between stereotypes and discrimination and forms a
negative, self-reinforcing cycle. 40
Taiwan’s Gender Equality Policy Guidelines promotes the
elimination of gender stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in
all domains to build a gender-equal society and culture. The scope
of this promotion includes physical settings (e.g., families,
workplaces, schools, social settings, and media) and virtual
settings (e.g., digital/online communities). Article 5 of CEDAW
also encourages governments to take all appropriate measures to
eliminate prejudice based on stereotyped roles for men and women.
A related reference can be found on page 27 of the Ministry of
Labor’s Gender Equality Promotional Plan (2022-2025).41
One of the consequences of gender stereotyping that
adversely affects female workers is occupational segregation,
which can consist of either horizontal segregation or vertical
segregation. The former encompasses the “glass wall” and
40
Paragraphs 7, 19, and 22 of “The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women (Apr. 23, 2024) General Recommendation on Gender Stereotypes:
Concept Note.”
41
Ministry of Labor, Gender Equality Area/Gender Equality Promotional Plan (20222025) (2024 rolling revision version).”
53