The Ocean Affairs Council hosted the "Her Ocean: Cultivating Local Maritime Culture with Women's Power" event in Cijin, inviting 20 new immigrants and second-generation sisters from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand to experience Taiwan's fish-eating culture and explore the role of women in the development of maritime culture.
https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/c741317e-a3e8-4f41-93e3-f5c845bd7103?lang=tw
According to the Ocean Affairs Council's press release, Chairperson Kuan Bi-ling stated that, like many Southeast Asian countries, the sound of waves is a shared language for the people. She hopes that through this event, participants can learn about the diversity and inclusiveness of the ocean, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation among people of different genders, cultures, and backgrounds, enriching Taiwan's maritime cultural heritage.
Kuan Bi-ling emphasized that the ocean is a vital natural resource of the Earth, and new immigrants are a valuable asset to Taiwan. Whether in marine research, conservation, maritime security, or the preservation of maritime culture, women play an indispensable role. She stressed that the ocean should not be a boundary that limits footprints but a connection to the world, overcoming geographical and conceptual limitations to jointly contribute unique values in maritime affairs.
Chairperson Kuan Bi-ling of the Ocean Affairs Council delivered a welcome speech. (Photo provided by the Ocean Affairs Council)
The event, themed "Women and the Ocean," featured stories on gender and the ocean shared by Indonesian new immigrants Wu Chiu-e and Liu Li-na, and second-generation immigrant Hong Shu-ling. Hong Shu-ling expressed that the event made her realize the inclusiveness and diversity of gender and the ocean. She hopes to contribute to the ocean in her future role as a helper.
https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/81B81B6E-6D57-4435-944A-76009D65C745?lang=TW
Participants also visited gender-significant landmarks and buildings in Kaohsiung's Cijin, including the Labor Women's Memorial Park, Cijin Tianhou Temple, and Cijin Sea Star Madonna Catholic Church. Through these visits, participants learned how different communities protect Cijin and the roles women play in Cijin society, enhancing new immigrants' understanding of Kaohsiung and experiencing the contributions of women to social development and maritime culture.
Twenty new immigrants and second-generation sisters from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand participated. (Photo provided by the Ocean Affairs Council)
The Ocean Affairs Council stated that this event not only explored maritime culture but also promoted gender equality and cultural exchange. They hope to hold more similar events in the future to foster social harmony and integration.
