Expanding Family Horizons: Taiwanese Lawmakers Push for Assisted Reproduction Access

Advocates seek to broaden fertility options for single women and same-sex couples, enhancing gender equality in Taiwan.

Taipei, Taiwan - In a move highlighting ongoing efforts towards gender equality and family diversity, two lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are calling for the expansion of access to assisted reproduction in Taiwan.

The push, announced on May 14th, focuses on urging the government to introduce legislation that would allow single women and same-sex female couples to utilize assisted reproductive technologies. This initiative underscores Taiwan's commitment to inclusive family policies.

DPP lawmaker Huang Jie (黃捷) emphasized that the legalization of same-sex marriage six years ago was just the beginning. She highlighted the need to address the existing limitations of current laws. She advocates for changes to the Assisted Reproduction Act. This Act currently restricts assisted reproduction, including artificial insemination, to married heterosexual couples. She urges the Cabinet and Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to act on this matter.

Huang believes these amendments would empower more single women and lesbians to start families. The advocacy will not include surrogacy issues. Huang recognizes that this remains a controversial subject.

DPP legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) joined the initiative, expressing hopes that the draft amendments previously agreed upon by the MOHW would soon be brought before the Legislative Yuan.

Wong Yu-cin (翁鈺清), the Taiwan Equality Campaign's advocacy and civic engagement project manager, also weighed in. She expressed concerns about the government's seemingly inconsistent stance on the issue. She highlighted a recent poll, showing that public support for lesbians using artificial reproduction has slightly decreased recently. Wong pressed the government to expedite the submission of draft amendments, calling it an important step for women seeking to become mothers.