每日英語跟讀 Ep.K605: Taiwan Witnesses MeToo Movement Surge Following Netflix Show
Taiwan has recently experienced a surge in allegations of sexual harassment and assault, triggered by a Netflix show that many believe has sparked a local MeToo movement. In the past two weeks, over 90 individuals have come forward, accusing people from various sectors across the island. Initially centered on politics and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), where several senior officials have resigned, the allegations have now spread throughout Taiwanese society, targeting doctors, professors, sporting umpires, and YouTubers. Notably, a Polish diplomat was accused of sexual assault by a think tank researcher.
台灣在Netflix的一部節目之後，最近的性騷擾和性侵指控激增，許多人相信這部戲激發了台灣本土的MeToo運動。在過去的兩週中，超過90人站出來，指控島上來自各個行業的人士。最初的指控集中在政治和執政的民主進步黨（DPP），其中有幾名高級官員辭職，但現在已經蔓延到台灣社會的各個角落，針對的對象包括醫生、教授、體育裁判和YouTuber。值得注意的是，一名波蘭外交官被智庫研究員指控性侵。
For many women in Taiwan, this moment has been long-awaited in a society that has otherwise received global praise for its progressive politics and commitment to gender equality. President Tsai Ing-wen, the first female leader of the island, has offered an apology and pledged to implement reforms. Dr. Liu Wen, a social commentator from Taiwan's Sinica Academia, stated that the magnitude of these revelations is unprecedented, with underlying issues in different industries being exposed simultaneously for the first time.
對於台灣的許多女性來說，這是他們期待已久的時刻，因為台灣社會在進步政治和性別平等方面受到全球的稱讚。台灣首位女性領導人蔡英文總統已經表示道歉並承諾進行改革。台灣中央研究院社會評論家劉文博士表示，此次爆料的規模是前所未有的，不同行業的潛在問題首次同時被揭露。
The movement's inspiration can be traced back to a local TV drama called "Wave Makers," which aired on Netflix in late April. The show revolves around Taiwanese political staffers working on an election campaign. A pivotal scene in the series, where a young female aide confides in her mentor, a party spokeswoman, about the sexual harassment she endured from a male colleague, has been credited as the catalyst for Taiwan's MeToo moment. This scene resonated with viewers, prompting them to speak out against similar experiences.
這場運動的靈感可以追溯到一部名為《人選之人─造浪者》的當地電視劇，在四月底在Netflix上播出。這部劇圍繞著台灣政治幕僚在一個選舉活動中的工作。劇集中的一個關鍵場景是一名年輕女助手向她的導師──一名黨內女性發言人──吐露自己遭受男同事性騷擾的經歷，這個場景被認為是台灣MeToo運動的觸媒。這個場景引起了觀眾的共鳴，激勵他們對類似經歷發聲。
The response to these allegations has been significant given Taiwan's emphasis on gender equality. President Tsai promptly acknowledged the victims' experiences and expressed gratitude for their bravery in coming forward. Recognizing the need for societal education, she offered apologies on behalf of her party, emphasizing that those speaking out are victims, not troublemakers. With Taiwan approaching a presidential election in January, the MeToo movement holds particular importance. William Lai, the chairman and candidate of the DPP, apologized for the party's shortcomings and called for reforms to strengthen sexual harassment laws, promising not to let the matter be overlooked.
對於這些指控的回應在台灣的性別平等背景下具有重要意義。蔡總統迅速認同了受害者的經歷，並對他們的勇氣表示感謝。她也代表黨派向社會教育做的不足致歉，強調發聲的人是受害者，而不是惹事者。隨著台灣明年一月的總統選舉逼近，MeToo運動尤其重要。民進黨主席兼候選人賴清德為黨的不足道歉，呼籲改革以加強性騷擾法律，並承諾不讓這個問題被忽視。
This ongoing MeToo movement signifies a critical time for Taiwan's efforts to address gender and sexual abuse. Although some people appreciate the conversations sparked by the TV show, skepticism remains regarding lasting change and the availability of supportive supervisors in real life. As the movement unfolds, Taiwan faces both a reckoning and an opportunity to effect meaningful progress in combating sexual harassment and assault.
這場持續的MeToo運動標誌著台灣努力解決性別和性虐待問題的重要時刻。儘管有些人欣賞這部電視劇所引發的討論，但人們對是否能持續變革和現實中提供支援的高層監督者仍然持懷疑態度。隨著運動的展開，台灣面臨一次檢視的機會，並有機會在打擊性騷擾和性侵方面實現有意義的進展。
Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65875474