Tsai Ing-wen: Examining how the First Female President of Taiwan Managed the COVID-19 Global Health Crisis

Abstract

At the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, a new virus later recognized as COVID-19 began to spread rapidly worldwide, with the first major outbreak starting in Wuhan, China. Just across the strait sat Taiwan, headed by newly re-elected president Tsai Ing-wen. As the threat of COVID-19 became clearer, Tsai, the first female president of Taiwan, was tasked with deciding how to handle what seemed to be an incoming global pandemic. Throughout the decision process, Tsai was forced to consider a myriad of factors when determining the best course of action for her country, including her reputation as the first female leader of Taiwan, the lack of international support after Taiwan was banned from the WHO, the poorly managed health crisis from SARS in 2003, and the political and economic security of Taiwan as a country. Through her strong and effective leadership, Taiwan emerged from the pandemic as one of the few success stories.