In 1924, the First International Women's Day Celebration Conference was held in Canton, marking the genesis of the women's rights movement in China. After the Northern Expedition to unite the nation was successfully completed in 1928, women's rights movements gradually gained recognition and momentum due to active promotion of these causes by the Kuomintang.

Growing awareness of the need for equal rights for women and men was symbolized in Article 7 of the Constitution completed by the National Assembly convened in 1946: "All citizens of the Republic of China, irrespective of sex, religion, race, class, or party affiliation, shall be equal before the law."

Though initially, women's movements were primarily the realm of intellectuals in Taiwan, participation has gradually widened to include women from all walks of life. In 1986, the movement reached a new milestone in its development with the founding of the "Rainbow Program," an alliance of religious, government, aboriginal, human rights, and women's groups working together for the common purpose of helping child prostitutes.

Between 1985 and 1987, the number and scope of women's organizations in Taiwan grew at an unprecedented rate. These organizations work for causes not just related to women's issues, but also in areas such as environmental protection, politics, social welfare, and education. The Women's Book Store, established both to provide books, information, and educational material on women's issues, further solidified the foundation for the growth of feminist thinking in Taiwan.

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