Ko Chih-en signs family-friendly pledge focusing on marriage education

On the 10th, Ke Zhi'en attended a roundtable discussion at a Christian church in Kaohsiung, engaging with church leaders and congregants on topics of marriage, education, and family. Following the session, she signed a "Family-Friendly Pledge." This move not only highlights her attention to social issues but also signals that she will center her campaign platform on family and education in the upcoming Kaohsiung mayoral election.

Since being elected as a Kaohsiung city councilor in 2018, Ke has championed the slogan of "creating a livable city," advocating for improvements in public services and social welfare. In recent years, she has been viewed within the Kuomintang (KMT) as a potential candidate with an approachable image, possessing a certain appeal among young and female voters. Her participation in this church roundtable is part of her effort to broaden her social base and leverage the resources of religious groups. In Kaohsiung, where religious diversity and social welfare needs intersect, churches are often seen as a vital force in promoting community care and family support. Seizing this opportunity, Ke demonstrated her emphasis on family values and social responsibility to voters.

During the discussion, Ke and church representatives explored the multifaceted challenges of "marriage and family education." She noted that Taiwan faces issues such as an aging population, rising divorce rates, and pressure regarding children's education, necessitating robust social welfare and educational systems to support family stability and the holistic development of children. She mentioned plans to promote "character education" curricula, emphasizing respect, responsibility, and empathy, and called for collaboration between schools and parents to create a healthy environment for children's growth. Her remarks not only echo the KMT's "people-centered" philosophy but also align with the current "Family Education and Care" policies of the Executive Yuan.

When signing the "Family-Friendly Pledge," Ke explicitly stated her commitment to enhancing social welfare and encouraging enterprises to assume responsibilities for family care. The pledge includes three main measures: first, promoting flexible working hours and parental leave in companies to alleviate the caregiving burden on working parents; second, strengthening community care resources by establishing a "family care network" to assist those in need of care; and third, fostering cross-departmental cooperation between character education and social welfare to ensure policy implementation. These measures not only aim to improve the family-friendliness of Kaohsiung but may also cultivate a positive image among voters, offering substantial appeal particularly to families with children.

In the broader political context, Ke's actions are seen as a response to trends in Taiwan's family policies. In recent years, the Taiwanese government and civil society groups have continuously called for strengthened family care and educational support, especially as caregiving demands surged following the COVID-19 pandemic. By using religious organizations as a platform to implement family-friendly policies, Ke may secure broader support in the election. For the KMT, this move is also a key strategy to consolidate its position in the competitive Kaohsiung mayoral race, enhancing trust in her leadership among party members and the public through concrete commitments and specific policies. (Source: Central News Agency)