10% of Taiwan’s military comprises of women

Where the U.S.A and UK are working hard towards initiating more women in the armed forces, Taiwan, a small island country on the east coast of China, currently has 10.5,1% or 16,000 women in the military, a record high number for the percentage of women in the history of the R.O.C - according to a report by Asia One. Yesterday, the country’s President, Ma Ying-jeou, welcomed the 7^th female general.

At the ceremony, Ying-jeou praised women in the military for their efforts, which also marked the promotion of 28 generals including one woman, Army Major General Chen Yu-lin. The President added that the strong presence of women in the R.O.C promoted gender equality. The last female general in the country was Ministry of National Defence General Political Warfare Bureau Section, Chief Major General Lisa Chi, who filed for retirement this May, according to a former military spokeswoman.

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Chen, who is the first female general to have served on an offshore frontline island and the seventh female general overall in R.O.C. history, is the head of the political welfare division at the offshore Matsu Defence Command. At the ceremony that celebrated Chen and other 28 generals, the president praised the women for their great performance at the job.  He also added that many women have been showing physical strength equal to their male counterparts.

At another conferral ceremony on 26^th June, President Ma Ying-jeou said that he hopes to see more females in the military who can be promoted to the position of general. His wish came true yesterday when all these women were promoted to prestigious positions.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Asia One

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/taiwans-ma-welcomes-7th-female-general-praises-women-military