Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Mayor Huang Presents Chiayi City’s “Five Forces” Approach to Women’s Empowerment at CSW70 in New York Post Date: March 13 Labor and Youth Development Department / Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department Mayor Huang Min-hui led a delegation to New York City to participate in events of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW). On March 12 (Eastern Time), she was invited to speak at a forum organized by the Modern Women’s Foundation, where she presented Chiayi City’s policy approach to women’s empowerment, highlighting how cross-departmental collaboration supports women at different stages of life. In her remarks, Mayor Huang outlined Chiayi City’s demographic characteristics, including a higher proportion of women, strong female labor force participation, and high educational attainment. She noted that these factors inform the city’s policy development, and added that 10 of the city’s 11 elected mayors have been women, reflecting a longstanding environment of female leadership. Mayor Huang emphasized that the city’s governance is grounded in equity, inclusiveness, and integrated service delivery. Through cross-departmental coordination, Chiayi City enhances access to services, including access to justice. Its women’s empowerment policies are structured around five key areas—learning, economic participation, social welfare, safety from violence, and gender awareness—collectively known as the “Five Forces” approach. She noted that this framework supports women’s development through education, stable employment, social support systems, personal safety measures, and gender awareness initiatives. As one example, the “Chiayi Social Enterprise” program integrates training, competitions, and startup support, helping women develop social enterprises and expand economic participation. Mayor Huang stated that the initiative reflects an integrated governance model rather than isolated programs, and emphasized that women’s empowerment should encompass learning, integration, and participation to ensure policies respond to diverse needs. According to Pan Wei-kang, Chairperson of the Modern Women’s Foundation, Mayor Huang was invited in recognition of both her legislative experience and practical governance achievements. The forum also featured international and Taiwanese speakers, facilitating policy dialogue and exchange on advancing women’s rights and access to justice.    

Chiayi City Brings Women’s Empowerment Experience to Global Stage at NGO CSW Forum in New York Post Date: March 12 Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department Chiayi City is bringing its governance experience in women’s empowerment to the international stage. Mayor Huang Min-hui departed for the United States on March 10 (Taiwan time), leading a delegation on a five-day visit to participate in activities of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW) in New York. During the visit, Mayor Huang will attend a forum on March 12 (Eastern Time) and, in the afternoon, participate in meetings in her capacity as Chairperson of the Girl Scouts of Taiwan. On the evening of March 13, she will also attend the Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) – Women’s Empowerment Night, where she will exchange experiences with women leaders from around the world. Upon arriving in New York late on March 10 (Eastern Time), Mayor Huang attended a rehearsal the following morning for a Girl Scout forum session. She encouraged three Girl Scout students from Chiayi City, along with a representative recommended by the Girl Scouts of Taiwan, and engaged with student delegates from the United States. The exchange focused on leadership experiences and gender equality, including how women can exercise influence across different stages of life. The interaction provided an opportunity for deeper dialogue ahead of the formal forum sessions. Mayor Huang stated that Chiayi City places importance on women’s rights and diverse participation. She noted that a progressive city should ensure that women are supported at every stage of life and are able to realize their potential and contribute to society. She added that sharing Chiayi City’s experience on the global stage highlights the city’s efforts in women’s empowerment, education, and cross-departmental collaboration, while also allowing the city to engage with international partners and draw on global perspectives to advance gender equality and sustainable governance. On March 12 (Eastern Time), Mayor Huang will participate in two NGO CSW parallel forums. In the morning, she will serve as a panelist at a session organized by the Modern Women’s Foundation titled “From Taiwan to the World: Pathways to Accessible Justice,” speaking on “Women Power: Integrating Resources to Empower Women in Chiayi.” She will share how the city government integrates resources across departments to support women at different stages of life. In the afternoon, she will attend a Girl Scouts of Taiwan forum titled “STEM and Youth Participation: Pathways to Gender Justice,” where she will deliver remarks on “Women’s Political Participation and Local Leadership: Creating Inclusive Pathways for the Next Generation.” Drawing on her own experience, she will discuss approaches to leadership and communication in advancing inclusive governance. She will also attend the Girl Scouts Night event that evening. On the evening of March 13, Mayor Huang will attend the TGEW – Women’s Empowerment Night hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, where she will continue exchanges with women leaders from various fields and further share Chiayi City’s experience in promoting women’s empowerment. Upon arrival in New York, Mayor Huang and the delegation were welcomed by Ambassador Lee Chih-chiang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, as well as Chiang Ming-hsin, CEO of Hello Taiwan, marking another step in Chiayi City’s efforts to strengthen international engagement.  

Chiayi City Introduces 992 Sets of Domestic Timber Desks and Chairs to Create Low-Carbon Learning Environments Post Date: March 5 Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department The Chiayi City Government, in collaboration with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, held a joint press conference on Thursday (March 5) at Jiabei Elementary School. Mayor Huang Min-hui, alongside FANCA Director-General Lin Hua-ching, announced the formal introduction of 992 sets of classroom desks and chairs crafted from 100% domestic Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) into the city’s schools. This initiative aims to transform campuses into a "second forest" and proactive carbon storage hubs, with the new furniture estimated to sequester approximately 23 metric tons of carbon. Mayor Huang underscored that Chiayi City, historically celebrated as Taiwan’s “Wood Capital,” may lack vast natural forests but possesses a unique “humanistic forest” within its urban fabric. The adoption of domestic timber represents more than a mere equipment upgrade; it is a strategic policy shift integrating environmental sustainability, forestry transformation, and aesthetic education. By prioritizing locally sourced materials, Chiayi City is turning classrooms into carbon-capturing warehouses. According to technical estimates, every 100 sets of cedar desks sequester approximately 2.3 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 300 mature trees. This tangible climate action not only supports the domestic forestry supply chain but also embodies the city's "+1" brand spirit of collaborative innovation for a sustainable future. According to estimates, producing 100 sets of cedar desks and chairs can store about 2.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of approximately 300 trees. The initiative also supports Taiwan’s domestic forestry industry and encourages broader use of locally sourced timber materials. Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Director-General Lin Hua-ching noted that promoting domestic timber fosters a virtuous cycle of forest cultivation, management, and harvesting while significantly reducing carbon footprints. Each piece of furniture carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, ensuring responsible sourcing from well-managed forests. Furthermore, every desk is equipped with a QR code, allowing students to trace the specific origin of the timber. The Department of Education added that these "breathing" desks provide a multi-sensory environment for "wood education," allowing students to experience the warmth and texture of natural materials daily. This project directly aligns with Taiwan’s 2050 Net-Zero Emissions strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 12, and 13), reaffirming Chiayi City’s commitment to global climate action and the preservation of its timber heritage.