Top-level government officials and experts from different fields shared their insights on the diversity and gender balance in the public and private sectors, Wednesday, stressing that boosting such values is key to ensuring the sustainable development of the country.
During the 2024 Korea Times Forum, themed “Toward diversity, inclusiveness and equality,” the participants said balanced gender representation and women’s active economic participation will contribute to improving creativity and openness across various sectors. They emphasized that Korea’s primary task is to explore relevant policies and support measures, considering its relatively low ranking in gender equality indexes despite its economic development.
Three of the four incumbent women ministers — Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kang Jung-ai, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryung and SMEs and Startups Minister Oh Young-ju — participated in the forum and delivered congratulatory speeches.
“The whole country should work together to address women’s career disruptions caused by marriage and child care and to remove glass ceilings,” Kang said. “It will not be easy, but if the government, companies and households make efforts all together, we can make it possible.”
Citing that the country saw an increasing number of women becoming soldiers, police officers and firefighters in recent years, Kang said that welfare programs for women patriots or veterans have 카지노사이트 been considered more important. She said that the ministry is making efforts to reflect these needs in policies encompassing medical services and reemployment.