Seocho-gu Designated as a 'Women-Friendly City' Phase 2 to Promote Gender Equality Culture

▲Opening of Seocho-gu Gender Equality Activity Center ▲Expansion of Seocho Women and Family Plaza Regional Wall ▲Seocho-style Shared Daycare ▲Grandchild Caregiver ▲Seocho Women’s Job Corporation Highly Rated in Various Projects... Introduction of Gender Equality Specialist System from Next Year, Gender Equality Policy Consulting, Expansion of Gender Sensitivity Education for Residents Linked with Local Grassroots Networks to Promote Gender-Sensitive Culture

Rice Harvesting Experience for Children at Seocho-gu Gongyu Daycare Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu has been selected as a city re-designated as a Women-Friendly City by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and has been designated as a ‘Women-Friendly City Phase 2’ for five years until 2026.

A ‘Women-Friendly City’ refers to a local government that strives to create a gender-equal environment by promoting policies such as expanding women’s employment and care and safety policies through balanced participation of women and men in the process of establishing and implementing local policies.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family evaluates local governments every five years and designates Women-Friendly Cities. The designation progresses through Phase 1 (Entry), Phase 2 (Development), and at Phase 3 (Leading), the city is certified as a ‘Gender Equality Partner City.’

Since being first designated as a Women-Friendly City Phase 1 in 2016, the district has received high evaluations over the past five years for various projects aimed at making the city happy for women, including ▲ opening the Seocho-gu Gender Equality Activity Center ▲ expanding Seocho Women and Family Plaza by region ▲ Seocho-type Shared Daycare Centers ▲ grandchild caregivers ▲ establishing Seocho Women’s Job Corporation.

In particular, this year, the district established the nation’s first Women’s Job Corporation, providing quality jobs where women who have experienced career interruptions can actively utilize their talents. In addition, the number of national and public daycare centers has increased from 48 in 2016 to 89 in 2021, and five more centers will be added next year to create an environment where parents can work freely without worrying about childcare.

In Phase 2, the district plans to create a gender-equal society by 2026 focusing on five major goals: ▲ establishing a foundation for promoting gender equality ▲ women’s economic and social participation ▲ enhancing community safety ▲ creating a family-friendly environment ▲ improving women’s safety in the community.

Starting next year, a Gender Equality Specialist will be employed to provide consulting on overall gender equality policies in Seocho. In cooperation with the Seocho Gender Equality Activity Center, grassroots networks will be linked to expand gender-sensitivity education for residents, spreading a gender-equal and gender-sensitive culture.

Acting District Mayor Jeongwook Cheon stated, “We will continue to spread a culture of gender equality throughout the district administration and strive to create a city where women and socially vulnerable groups are not marginalized.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.