Representatives from Taiwan and GOH spoke in several sessions of the Asian Network of Women’s Shelters (ANWS). On the issue of “Coronavirus and Women’s Shelters: Planning, Preparation and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Ni Hsin from the Mustard Seed Youth Home, National Human Rights Commission member Chi Hui-jung, and Anthony Carlisle from GOH took part in discussions. Panelists praised Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong’s effective pandemic prevention measures, pointing out the significance of these regions’ previous experience in combating the SARS outbreak of 2003. Despite the fact that the pandemic was long from over, it was agreed that the world could learn from Asia’s experience in this area.

During the session on “Policy Perspectives on the Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence,” Taiwanese representatives included Dr. Twu Shiing-jer(涂醒哲), former minister of the Department of Health; Chen Yi-ru, head of the Department of Protective Services; Liu Ting-miao, a former researcher in Chen’s department; and GOH’s Anthony Carlisle. They spoke about modifications that could be made to shelter management during the pandemic and what actions to take in the case of a national lockdown. Some of the possible measures included continuous monitoring of domestic violence cases, especially in areas with higher numbers of quarantined people, and encouraging cooperation between local and national agencies in coordinating anti-domestic violence efforts.