THE MORE ISN'T ALWAYS THE MERRIER: UNDERSTANDING WHAT LEADS TO WOMEN-FRIENDLY POLICY IN ASIA

Abstract

Under what conditions are woman-friendly policies more likely to be passed? This issue of women’s substantive representation has been studied by numerous scholars, with various different answers: some suggest that critical mass is necessary for the passage of woman friendly policy, whilst others find that the presence of feminist activism is key. This thesis will add to existing scholarship through exploring the conditions under which woman-friendly policy is more likely to be passed in Asia. It presents the cases of Taiwan and Singapore, and traces the process of attempts to pass a woman-friendly abortion policy. The central finding is that it is neither the percentage of women in office, nor the presence of feminist activism that is most significant in causing the passing of woman-friendly policy; woman-friendly policies will most likely be passed in the Asian context when women’s interests align with the strategic interests of the state. However, this alone is insufficient: there must also be a critical, pivotal actor in the state who is able to align the woman-friendly policy with the strategic interests of the state. In Singapore, there was the presence of such a critical, pivotal actor who was able to do so, which led to the successful passing of a woman-friendly abortion policy. However, in Taiwan, despite the presence of a critical actor, she was ultimately unable to present women’s interests as being in line with the state’s interests, and the abortion policy in Taiwan remains woman-unfriendly.