Boys In This Taiwanese High School Can Now Wear Skirts Under Gender-Neutral Uniform Policy
"It is to boost the students' autonomy in choosing their uniforms while respecting their rights."
By Sadho Ram — 26 Jul 2019, 04:38 PM
In Taiwan, there's a wind blowing that smells of progressiveness
In May this year, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
And now in a move that will be a boost for gender equality in the country, a high school in Taiwan has announced that it is implementing a new gender-neutral uniform policy.
Under the new policy, boys at Banqiao Senior High School, which is located in New Taipei City, will be allowed to wear skirts like their female counterparts.
Male students at Banqiao Senior High School are seen wearing skirts along with their female counterparts during a week-long campaign to dismantle gender stereotypes in May this year.
Image via Board Student UnionIt comes after male students and teachers at the high school held a week-long campaign in May to break down gender stereotypes
In a report about the school's decision on 24 July, the Thomson Reuters Foundation hailed it as "a beacon of liberalism in Asia", saying that the change in uniform policy is "a rare move in Asia where traditional values often prevail".
Under the current guidelines, male students are required to wear trousers and skirts for female students, but the new dress code - to take effect in the new academic year from 30 August - will remove any mention of a specific gender.
"It is to boost the students' autonomy in choosing their uniforms while respecting their rights," the Banqiao Senior High School said in a statement.
Taiwanese Education Ministry officials reportedly welcomed the school's decision. The school has over 2,000 students.
"This is a progressive step that embraces diversity.
"It will especially give transgender teenagers the freedom to choose what they want to wear in schools," said Du Sih-cheng, the policy advocacy director at the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, a non-profit that campaigns for LGBT+ rights.
The policy advocacy director also urged more schools in the country to follow suit.
