With the highest gender wage gap in the OECD, International Women’s Day in Korea celebrates the achievements of women and recognizes the ongoing fight for gender equality.
International Women’s Day was first recognized in Korea in 1920; however, it was not until 1985 that various domestic women’s rights movements, including the Korea Women’s Association United (KWAU), joined together to hold the first official annual women’s rally. Since then, the KWAU has led various activities each year on March 8th. These events aim to celebrate Korea’s female figures and shed light on women’s issues. Every year the organization also recognizes a local individual or women’s organization for their social or political efforts in promoting women’s rights. Last year saw the National House Managers’ Cooperative selected for their long-term efforts in expanding job opportunities and improving workers’ rights for Korean women. This year, the 32nd Korean Women’s Conference will take place starting on Saturday, March 5th at 1pm at Gwanghwamun Plaza under the global International Woman’s Day theme of Pledge for Parity.
Those interested in women’s issues can also check out the online magazine Period, “a platform for female-identified artists across genres” which launched here in Seoul this past November. To do our part, Time Out Seoul has selected four Korean women blazing trails in their respective fields.
