In May 2019, we were delighted to receive a visit from Honduran Vice-President Olga Margarita Alvarado Rodríguez. Almost as soon as she stepped off the plane on her first visit to Taiwan, she headed straight to GOH headquarters, keen to learn more about GOH’s long-term service on the island and how we work to create a friendly environment for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Afterward, Rodríguez reflected on how “domestic violence is a crucial issue worldwide which needs to be tackled by every country and every society.”

She was interested to learn more about how GOH shelters provide accommodation for women. She asked questions about how the shelters were managed across the island and how services were provided for those needing short-, mid-, and long-term accommodation. She expressed her gratitude to GOH for their important work in fighting for women’s rights and bringing hope and support to thousands of women and girls in Taiwan. She hoped there would be opportunities to work with GOH in the future and expressed that Honduras would advocate just as GOH does on gender issues, letting women know that they can be in control of their own destiny. She recognized that the empowerment of women does not just allow them to succeed in their own lives, but also means they are able to become empowered members of their families and communities.

Then-GOH CEO Chi Hui-jung (紀惠容) offered Rodríguez the gift of a Brave Taiwanese Bear, modeled on the Taiwan black bear, which represents not only Taiwan’s rich culture but GOH’s core beliefs. Chi explained, “The ‘V’ on the bear’s chest represents the victories of women, as well as our own ‘V-Day’ campaign.” Both women agreed on the power of women’s bravery and of women supporting each other.