Yeongdeungpo-gu Ranks First Nationwide for Female Public Officials... What Is the Reason?

Published 17 Jan.2020 06:23(KST)

As of 2020, Women Account for 45.5% of Grade 5 and Above Managerial Public Officials, Ranking First Nationwide... 5 out of 9 Grade 4 Directors Are Women... 10 out of 18 Districts Have Female District Chiefs... Result of a Flexible, Open Organizational Environment and Fair Personnel Management

Cha Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) leads a gender-equal organizational culture by ranking first among local governments nationwide with a 45.5% ratio of female public officials in managerial positions of grade 5 or higher.

As of December 2018, the first year of the 7th local government term, Yeongdeungpo-gu had 30 female managers out of a total of 75, accounting for 40%, which is the highest among local governments nationwide according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This is an overwhelming figure, with a 7.8% difference from second-ranked Jung-gu, Seoul (32.8%).

As of 2020, Yeongdeungpo-gu had 30 female managers out of 66 in total, accounting for 45.5%, showing an increase in the ratio.

Considering that the ratio of female managers in Yeongdeungpo-gu was 13% in 2010, it can be said that remarkable growth has been achieved over the past 10 years. The figures have continuously increased since the beginning of the 7th local government term.

The secret lies undoubtedly in a flexible and open organizational environment where individuals can demonstrate their capabilities and skills. It is also the result of meticulous and objective personnel management that excludes prejudice and discrimination based on gender and places talents in the right positions.

First, as of January 2020, among nine grade 4 directors, five are women, including the head of the Future Vision Promotion Team overseeing district strategic projects, the Director of Welfare, the Director of Safety and Transportation, the Director of the Health Center, and the Director of the Council Secretariat, who have demonstrated leadership and stood out.

Next, female grade 5 officials account for 44.6%, with 25 out of 56 in total. Female managers have been assigned to the Planning and Budget Division, which oversees policy and budget, as well as the Job Economy Division and Social Economy Division for regional economic revitalization.

Also, the Parking Culture Division and Cleaning Division, key departments emphasized in the 7th local government term to strengthen basic administration, are led by female managers.

At the 18 community service centers, 10 female community chiefs listen attentively to residents' voices and do their best on the front lines to ensure there are no welfare blind spots.

The district’s proactive personnel management policy to discover talent is expected to break the glass ceiling prevalent in local governments nationwide and lead a gender-equal culture.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “Since 53.7% of the approximately 1,400 Yeongdeungpo-gu office employees are women, personnel management that fits the times is necessary,” adding, “We will create an environment where talents can be discovered and demonstrate their abilities regardless of gender, playing a leading role in an open Yeongdeungpo.”