Abolishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family23 March 2022
Jul 25, 2024
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Ministry of Gender Equality and Family The South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was formed in 2001 with major feminist breakthroughs following. It is in charge of planning gender-related policies, such as expanding women's social participation, preventing domestic and sexual violence and protecting victims. This includes the adoption of gender quotas in elections, abolition of the traditional Korean patriarchal family registration system which required all family members to register under a male family head and decriminalising abortion.
Plans for Abolishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and FamilyThe future of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has now become uncertain with newly elected president Yoon Suk-yeol’s campaign pledge to close the ministry- claiming that women do not suffer systemic gender discrimination. He has pledged to strengthen penalties for false accusations of sex crimes, undermining the accomplishments of the MeToo movement. The pledge became one of the most controversial issues during the presidential elections this year and has helped engage those with anti-feminist sentiments. Hundreds of women have marched to protest against the misogynist campaign pledge.
Gender Inequality in South KoreaGiven the achievement of South Korea’s rapid economic growth, South Korean women have made considerable advancements in many areas including education and health. However, despite this, Korea has the largest gender pay gap of OECD countries at 20 per cent, lowest share of women on boards of publicly listed companies with only 5.2% of board members being female. Korea has also ranked last among developed countries for several years in a row in the Economist’s “glass-ceiling index,” which measures the role and influence of women in the workforce. These statistics are especially concerning considering the fast economic growth of South Korea.
What does this mean?With the aims and vision of KOWIN being to equip and enable women to find success in their fields, an abolishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family may mean that we have less chance to help the women in the world (Australian Korean Women) who face misogyny and systemic inequality. The aftermaths of an abolition may ultimately exacerbate the unfair treatment women face all around the world.
How can you help?SIGN THE PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/south-korea-stop-abolishing-the-ministry-of-gender-equality-and-family
Resources & References:https://hrmasia.com/south-korea-urged-not-to-abolish-gender-equality-ministry/
http://koreabizwire.com/korean-men-and-women-divided-over-gender-equality-policy/213851
https://www.theglobalist.com/south-korea-anti-feminist-young-men-presidential-election-lee-jun-seok/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3vx8k/south-korea-incel-gender-wars-election-womens-rights
http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210715001013
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220302000941
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220310009700315
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-23/south-korea-gender-election-misogyny-in-spotlight/100856006
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