Taiwan is currently experiencing a wave of sexual harassment allegations, with over two dozen being made in the past week alone. Most of these allegations target members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, meaning that outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen has had to issue two public apologies in the same week. With presidential elections due in just over six months, some observers believe that the timing of these allegations is suspicious and that they are being manipulated for political purposes.
Despite having a woman President, Taiwan still has an entrenched patriarchy, with misogynistic conduct that is seldom taken seriously. However, if Taiwanese women are finding the courage to call out male predators, this is a welcome development. Nevertheless, weaponizing sexual harassment allegations is a dangerous game, and allegations can cut both ways. One Kuomintang legislator has now been accused of assaulting a journalist at a work dinner, a charge that forced the party’s presidential candidate, Hou you-ti, to call for an investigation.
It’s argued that the allegations are more about politics than about tackling sexual harassment. They target not just the ruling party but their leader as well. The Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally adopted a robust stance against reunification with China, putting them firmly in the crosshairs of the Communists’ propaganda initiatives. So, if the airing of the allegations is part of a larger political game, the ploy seems to be working. Already, some flash polls suggest that the Democratic Progressive Party’s popularity has dropped since the allegations surfaced.
This succession of allegations is occurring at a time when Taiwan’s presidential elections could have a significant impact on ties with Beijing and geostrategic equations in the Indo-Pacific. Outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, who is ineligible under Taiwan’s laws to contest in 2024, has long been perceived as a robust voice for Taiwan’s sovereignty, which draws popular support. But the allegations against her party threaten to undermine the party’s support and, in turn, their stance against China.
While the sudden outburst of allegations of sexual harassment in Taiwan’s political circles raises concerns about its timing, if these serve to root out men abusing their power, it can only be a positive development. However, the use of sexual harassment allegations as a political tool would harm Taiwan’s democratic culture ultimately.
