Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "We Will Lead the Advancement of Women's Rights and an Equal Society"

Attendance at the 113th Anniversary of the March 8 International Women's Day Ceremony

On the afternoon of the 8th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the 3.8 International Women's Day commemorative event held at the multipurpose auditorium of Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu and delivered a congratulatory speech. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated on the 8th, "Gwangju, as a city of democracy, human rights, and peace, will actively take the lead in promoting women's human rights and realizing an equal society."

Mayor Lee Yong-seop attended the 113th anniversary World Women's Day commemorative ceremony held by the Gwangju-Jeonnam Women's Organizations Federation on the afternoon of the 8th at Jeonil Building 245, where he delivered a congratulatory speech expressing this commitment.

The ceremony was conducted in strict compliance with quarantine guidelines, with about 70 participants including members of women's organizations. The event proceeded with the presentation of the March 8 Women's Award, delivery of supportive messages, women's speeches, and the reading of the March 8 Women's Declaration.

The mayor explained, "To eliminate discrimination and violence still present throughout our society and to realize a world where people come first regardless of gender, Gwangju is making its best efforts."

He also emphasized, "We will actively promote policies that balance work and family, strengthen employment safety nets for women's jobs, and create a structure where women can enter various fields without discrimination and receive fair treatment."

He continued, "We promise to expand national and public daycare centers and workplace daycare facilities, strengthen the social responsibility system for childcare, and expand public care to reduce the caregiving burden placed on women."

He stated, "Gwangju City will devote all its capabilities to creating a city where women can freely dream and realize their potential, supporting women fully. During the first half of this year, we will establish a special week dedicated solely to women to intensively review measures for improving women's rights and support."

He added, "I hope that on next year's World Women's Day, we can all meet again with bright smiles, free from the suffocating masks. Until we restore our precious daily lives through a healthy and safe Gwangju, please strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as wearing masks and social distancing."

Meanwhile, World Women's Day commemorates the uprising of over 15,000 female workers in the United States in March 1908, who demanded improved working conditions and suffrage rights. In South Korea, it has been designated as a legal commemorative day since 2018.