Topic: 2024-Gender Equality in Rural Areas
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Reagan Overmyer
UN Women
Williamston High School
Reagan Overmyer
South Korea
Gender Equality in Rural Areas
The idea of gender equality has spread worldwide- accepted in some nations and actively resisted in others. As attention to gender equality has spread throughout Korean society, the importance of it has heightened, even in rural communities. However, the levels in rural areas are drastically lower than in urban areas. Gender inequality increases the burden and conflicts relating to the person involved, and is directly linked to agricultural communities. Women are still being paid less for the same amount of work and their employment opportunities are very limited because of expectations in their household. South Korea wants effective, long-lasting change, and fast.
Gender equality has been key to South Korea’s agenda since the 1970s. Women in Development (WID) was supported initially but did not bring upon significant change to communities in South Korea. Due to the limitations brought on by WID, GAD (Gender and Development) was pursued and has been pursued since the 1980s. GAD brought forth a more gender-based approach that focused on gender disparity and inequality for both men and women. In agricultural communities that do face gender inequality, there is a steady decline in women in that sector. In 2019, women made up 40% of the agricultural sector. South Korea ranks 124th out of 149 countries in terms of “Economic Participation and Economy,” 88th in female labor force participation, and 121st in wage equality even with the 13th largest economy. On average, the wage gap between men and women for doing the same job is 36.7%. Like in most cultures, women are expected to take care of the housework and children, which can disrupt their jobs. Research has found that funding social care and education on female employment has a positive impact on society.
South Korea believes that promoting gender equality is vital for the social and economic growth and development of every nation and that a resolution is long overdue. Education, empowerment, and employment opportunities are South Korea’s main priorities. There are certainly better ways to grow and strengthen the economy without promoting inequality, and they must be considered, if not applied for the betterment of every country. The Republic of Korea looks forward to working with countries like New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, and Spain.
