By Kelly Her

Anya Lin, chair of the Society of Taiwan Women in Science and Technology based in Taipei City, works to advance gender parity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields to create stronger innovation ecosystems. (Chen Mei-ling)

Women are making greater contributions to the traditionally male-dominated medical and health industries.

Women in Taiwan have gained significant ground in the medical and health fields in recent decades thanks to concerted efforts by the public and private sectors to empower, promote and support female professionals. As a result, the proportion of female doctors practicing Western medicine in Taiwan has seen a steady increase from 10.4 percent in 2000 to 15.8 percent in 2010 and 21.2 percent in 2021, according to figures compiled by Taiwan Medical Association in Taipei City.

Anya Lin (林滿玉), dean of the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Taipei campus, is one such professional committed to forging a culture of equality. She works to boost inclusion as chair of the Society of Taiwan Women in Science and Technology (TWiST), a Taipei-based nonprofit that aims to build a better future through participation of girls and women in all aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Established in 2011, TWiST strives to encourage more women to enter these fields by offering grants, seminars and mentorship programs. The organization is a member of Canadaheadquartered International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists and joined the U.N.’s HeForShe campaign launched in 2014 to increase the involvement of men and boys in the fight for gender equity.

Yang Shu-chen, president of Huijia Health Life Technology Co. headquartered in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County, showcases her company’s smart care film, which utilizes noninvasive monitoring technology. (Chen Mei-ling)

Greater economic inclusion of women is also high on the agenda of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, whose Business Efficiency and Success Target Award seeks to encourage the spread of best practices by womenowned small and medium enterprises across member economies. Among recent winners is Taiwan’s Yang Shuchen (楊淑貞), president of Huijia Health Life Technology Co. headquartered in the northern county of Hsinchu. Yang was recognized in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Project category in 2021 for her company’s artificial intelligence-based smart health care system utilizing noninvasive fiber-optic physiological monitoring technology. Rather than emitting electromagnetic waves, it uses a high-sensitivity and high-precision sensor that can monitor and track blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and sleep, as well as COVID19 symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing, for round-the-clock health and safety management.

“My motivation in starting a business was to address social problems with innovative technologies,” Yang said. “I was particularly concerned with challenges presented by rapidly aging populations, such as increased medical spending. My company’s mission is to improve health care access, quality and affordability.” Currently, Huijia’s products and services are used in more than 300 child and senior care facilities, hospitals and nursing homes.

Lin and Yang are just two of many women from Taiwan making substantial contributions to the health care industry and serving as role models for young girls keen to pursue degrees and careers in science and technology. “Advancing gender parity in STEM can enhance diversity of thought and forge stronger innovation ecosystems,” Lin said. “It’s also vital for achieving sustainable development goals.”