Female Ministers Take on Gender Equality Issues

Four female ministers in the participatory government are moving fast to develop affirmative policies. Seeking to address discrimination against women, in particular, they are in cahoots with each other.

Minister of Justice Gang Keum-shil made the first move by saying on her second day in office on Feb. 28, ˝This organization must exert its effort to protect human rights for minorities,˝ adding that she would consider abolishing the existing family registration system approving only male heads.

Facing growing criticism on the discriminatory system, the Ministry of Gender Equality has been seeking to work with the Ministry of Justice to abolish related laws. The ministry is, therefore, hailing Minster Gang`s decision.

˝We will soon develop an alternative to the existing system,˝ Minister of Gender Equality(MOGE) Ji Eun-hee said in response.

On March 25, Minister of Health and Welfare Kim Hwa-joong proposed during a cabinet meeting that the ministry hand over birth and childcare-related duties to MOGE, winning support from President Roh. The relegation of birth and childcare policies to MOGE has long been tapped since the establishment of the gender equality ministry.

˝Female ministers have had close relationships and share the same view on women issues,˝ said Minister Ji. ˝The four ministries will be able to work closely, therefore, putting spurs to gender equality programs.˝

˝We never expected that MOHW took the initiative on the issue,˝ said an official at MOGE. ˝We now see Minister Kim in a different way as an open and reform-minded leader.˝

Minister of Environment Han Myung-sook, who used to lead MOGE, is now set to improve working conditions for women. While unveiling its plan to improve the working environment, it put `reinforcing women`s role in the ministry` as the first priority of the 34 tasks.

Believing that young women in office are often asked for errands, preparing coffee for instance, because they do not have their own work, Minister Han plans to assign such duties as office administration and dispensing expenses. The ministry is also considering offering incentives such as promotion and bonus to those performing well.

Female rights activists and organizations are welcoming the latest developments. The Korea Women`s Organization Association and the Korea Women`s Organization Council, the country`s two major women`s organizations, held a reception party for the four female ministers in Palace Hotel in Seocho, Seoul on March 20 and displayed their full support.

Sung-Hee Jung shchung@donga.com