2026 東亞性別平等論壇 East Asia Gender Equality Forum｜本屆主題 Theme

Rapid developments in digital and artificial intelligence technologies, economic restructuring, and shifting geopolitical conditions have made gender equality challenges in East Asia more complex than ever. Across physical and digital spaces, misogynistic culture and entrenched gender stereotypes undermine personal safety, freedom of expression, and meaningful participation in public life. At the same time, rising regional tensions and global uncertainty raise pressing questions about how societies respond to external threats, and whether such responses reinforce exclusion or open pathways toward more inclusive and resilient forms of collective action.

International frameworks increasingly emphasize that safety and resilience are not defined solely by the absence of violence, but by the presence of equality, inclusion, and social justice. The Institute for Economics and Peace, through its concept of Positive Peace, highlights the importance of reducing structural inequality, respecting the rights of people of all genders, and enabling all members of society to realize their potential. These principles are echoed in the CEDAW Committee's General Recommendation No. 40 (2024), which affirms that women's equal and substantive participation in decision-making at local, national, regional, and international levels is essential to building resilient societies.

Building on dialogues, trust, and regional connections developed over the past three years, the 2026 East Asia Gender Equality Forum convenes activists and gender-focused NGOs, researchers, and practitioners from Taiwan, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. As a civil society–led platform, it seeks to strengthen shared advocacy and regional solidarity, advancing a vision of safety grounded in dignity, inclusion, and collective well-being.