Minister Kang Kyung-wha Attends Women Foreign Ministers Video Conference... "Concerns Over Social and Economic Challenges for Women Worldwide"

International Community Must Make Joint Efforts

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 16th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attended a virtual meeting of women foreign ministers held under the theme "COVID-19 and Women: Action Plans" and discussed gender equality and the role of women in the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 17th.

The meeting, hosted by Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, was attended by women foreign ministers from nine countries including South Korea, Australia, Sweden, Kenya, El Salvador, Jamaica, Colombia, and Indonesia.

Minister Kang expressed concern over the social and economic difficulties faced by women worldwide due to COVID-19 and emphasized that the international community must make joint efforts to respond to these challenges.

Minister Kang stated, "It is important for each country to ensure meaningful participation of women in the COVID-19 response process, expand protection and support, and provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups." She introduced, "South Korea is implementing quarantine measures through proactive and aggressive diagnostic testing, and is carrying out various support measures to alleviate women's caregiving and household burdens and to maintain employment."

In response, the women foreign ministers evaluated South Korea as a model case in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and shared examples from their respective countries regarding protection and support for vulnerable women and gender equality during the spread and response to COVID-19.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The participating ministers agreed to continue close communication and cooperation to enhance the role and capacity of women in the ongoing COVID-19 response process."

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