Women’s Groups March at Cheonggye Plaza
UN "Must Actively Invest in Women"
Women’s organizations raised their voices for the realization of gender equality by participating in a group march to mark 'March 8, International Women’s Day.' They pointed out that there are still many policy and social issues to be resolved for gender equality in our society.
The Korean Women’s Associations United held the '39th Korean Women’s Conference in Commemoration of March 8, International Women’s Day' on the morning of the 8th at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul and urged improvements in Korea’s unreasonable gender equality policies, such as the gender wage gap. In particular, they stated, "In 2024, Korean society remains unequal and unstable for women," adding, "Korea’s gender wage gap has ranked last among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries for 27 years, and caregiving and housework still fall on women." They also criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration for erasing 'women' and 'gender equality' from its policies, saying, "There are still many tasks that the state and politics must solve to eradicate discrimination and violence against women and to realize gender equality."
They also demanded strengthening the system for promoting gender equality policies. They said that legislation for a gender equality disclosure system and policies to eliminate gender discrimination in hiring must be established to close the gender gap in the labor market. They emphasized the need to amend the law so that the crime of rape is based on consent and to establish systems such as applying health insurance coverage to abortion medical procedures.
On March 8 last year, officials affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and civic groups participated in the International Women's Day march in front of City Hall Station, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
On that day, the coalition marched from Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno-gu, Seoul, passing through Anguk Intersection and Gwanghwamun Square, and returning to Cheonggye Plaza. The recipients of this year’s Women’s Movement Award were Ko Sook-hee, a women’s disability rights activist, and the 'Gender Equality Stepping Stones' were awarded to Kim Hyun-jin, Jo Soo-yeon, Shin Eun-mi, Kim Jin-joo, and Pastor Lee Dong-han. On the other hand, the 'Gender Equality Obstacles' were named as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum, and Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo.
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Gender Equality Center also held a commemorative event on the same day at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging to "Invest in women for the future." About 200 people from government, diplomatic circles, business, and academia based in Korea attended the event.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, who attended the event, stated in a video message, "Billions of women and girls worldwide are marginalized and experiencing unjust and discriminatory situations." He further advocated encouraging women’s participation and leadership across the economy, digital technology, peacebuilding, and climate action, and promoting investment in policies and programs that meet the needs and demands of women and girls in business, finance, central banks, and finance-related ministries.
Shin Young-sook, Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family, also delivered a commemorative message that day, saying, "We will strive to realize a gender-equal society that supports warm companionship, a happy society for all, and sustainable social development."
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