Reorganization of the Ministry of Gender Equality: 74.5% Support 'Expansion'... 95% Oppose Future Ministry of Family

Survey by Rep. Kwon Insuk's Office Shows Majority Oppose Abolishing Ministry of Gender Equality
Need to Discover New Gender Equality Agendas Like Employment Gender Discrimination
Women's Groups Also Emphasize Strengthening Gender Equality Policies and Control Tower

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] A survey result showed that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should be 'expanded' and reorganized under the new government. Regarding the establishment of a new ministry such as the Ministry of Population (Future) and Family, opposition opinions were dominant.

On the 19th, the office of Kwon In-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, collected public opinions on the reorganization of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family from 1,139 citizens over three days from the 13th to the 15th, and most expressed opposition.

Regarding the direction of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family reorganization, the opinion for 'expanding the ministry (74.5%)' was the most prevalent, followed by 'maintaining the ministry (19.5%)' and 'reorganizing the ministry (3.6%).'

Regarding the so-called 'Ministry of Future Family Welfare,' which advocates for the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, opposition was overwhelming at 95.6%, with 'don't know' at 3.5% and support at 0.9% being minorities.

Among the survey respondents, subjective opinions included statements such as "If even one person faces a real threat to their life due to the disappearance of an administrative agency, it cannot be abolished in an instant," and "If it becomes a committee, it will be treated like a civic organization within the government and will face significant limitations in receiving budget and cooperation."

Representative Kwon In-sook said, "The disappearance of an independent ministry dedicated to gender equality policies means the loss of major authority and functions necessary for realizing national gender equality policies," adding, "The majority of respondents who opposed the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family perceived it as a minimum stronghold and safety net for the vulnerable, and expressed opinions that it should be expanded and reorganized as an independent ministry rather than abolished or downsized."

"Splitting the Ministry Leads to Decline in Quality of Life for Policy Beneficiaries"

At the 'Discussion on the Reorganization Plan of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to Strengthen Gender Equality Policies' hosted by Representative Kwon In-sook and others, Professor Shin Kyung-ah of Hallym University, who presented the keynote speech, expressed critical views on scenarios such as splitting departments, establishing a new Ministry of Population and Family, or downgrading to a committee.

Professor Shin stated, "The Ministry of Employment did not actively manage gender inequality in the labor market, and adding care and family support tasks risks marginalization. The Ministry of Justice opposed the victimization of sexually exploited children and adolescents and was passive in recognizing rape without assault or threats," and pointed out, "Transferring the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's tasks to other ministries will degrade the welfare, safety, and quality of life of policy beneficiaries such as women, youth, children, and families, resulting in a regression to 'protection projects.'"

She also criticized the approach of simply reducing the low birthrate issue to family policy by establishing a so-called Ministry of Population and Family or Ministry of Future Family. She emphasized that solving this requires raising the overall level of gender equality in employment, housing, care, and sharing of household and childcare responsibilities within families and society. Professor Shin said, "To solve the ultra-low birthrate problem, it is necessary for all government ministries to cooperate and have policy capabilities that can comprehensively coordinate from a gender equality perspective."

Professor Shin believes that abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family would also damage local women's policies and intensify the outflow of young women. She explained, "If gender equality policies disappear in local communities, young women will inevitably continue to leave, accelerating population decline and the crisis of local extinction."

Hwang Jeong-mi, a visiting researcher at Seoul National University Women's Studies Institute, argued that a complex response connecting various policies such as care, employment, welfare, and education from a gender equality perspective is necessary. Researcher Hwang emphasized, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should move beyond being a symbolic organization to become a problem-solving network and control tower," and "It must actively discover gender equality agendas that meet the needs of the younger generation, such as a 'gender-equal care society.'"

Women's Organizations Call for Strengthening Gender Equality Policy Implementation... 'Employment Gender Discrimination' Should Be an Agenda

Kim Min-moon-jung, executive director of the Korean Women's Associations United, who participated as a discussant, said, "Policy implementation from a gender equality perspective is important, and the ministry should be strengthened to function as a practical executive agency related to gender, work, and care," adding, "The current functions should be maintained while reorganizing to strengthen and create policies for gaps and blind spots, especially strengthening gender equality policies in the labor market. We oppose removing 'women' from the ministry's name to erase women's presence, and adding terms like 'future' or 'family' clearly represents regression."

Kim Eun-kyung, chairperson of the Gender Equality Policy Committee at the Korean YWCA, emphasized, "Structural reorganization that downgrades the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to a committee must be thoroughly blocked. The committee chair is not a cabinet member and has no deliberation rights," and added, "The ministry's policies should be expanded and strengthened, but the name should be changed to 'Ministry of Gender Equality.' Additionally, the gender labor disclosure system and strengthened child support enforcement from the president-elect's pledges should be added, and the Population Policy Office of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and youth policies from the Office for Government Policy Coordination should be transferred here."

During the discussion, the presenters identified employment gender discrimination as an urgent issue to be addressed by the new government organization.

Professor Shin said, "Gender inequality in employment has not been corrected, and an organization capable of jointly handling this is needed," adding, "Since gender discrimination is an immediate issue in Korea, we need to establish a system to remedy employment gender discrimination and envision a framework that includes other discriminated groups centered on women."

Researcher Hwang explained, "Intervening in the low birthrate issue is the most difficult task to succeed. Employment gender discrimination requires market intervention but is a challenge worth attempting," and added, "Population policy should not aim to increase birth rates but should strengthen general social policies to improve quality of life. Policies that only provide cash payments are insufficient."

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