Research report on Multicultural Family Support in South Korea

National Women’s Education Center of Japan (NWEC) researcher visited South Korea from Sunday 15th to Wednesday 18th January 2012 for research on Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research “Empowerment and Support of Migrant Women Focusing on Promotion of Gender Equality Initiative at the Local Level”.

The number of marriage migrant women from China (Ethnic Korean), Vietnam, Philippine, Cambodia and Japan is increasing rapidly in South Korea since 2000. We conducted research to find out what kind of organization is offering what kind of support for marriage migrant women at the local level and system which supports it.

In South Korea, the family who consists of marital couple between South Korean and foreigners is called “Multicultural Family”. The South Korean Government enacted “The Multicultural Family Support Act” in 2008, establishing Multicultural Family Support Center all over the country (201 places at present) and systematizing support for marriage migrant women and the children.

In this research, researcher visited Dongdaemungu Multicultural Family Support Center and Seodaemungu Multicultural Family Support Center in Seoul, Bukgu Multicultural Family Support Center in Gwangju and “A village with no Borders” in Ansan, Gyeonggi an initiative by private association.

An interview was also held with The Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education (KIGEPE), NWEC’s partner organization, on Multicultural Family Support Training.　KIGEPE carries out training for police officer, government official and international marriage agents.

Researcher found that local supports for migrant women in Korea are conducted under national policy.

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【Caption】
1. NWEC shown as a Today’s visitor at KIGEPE
2. Annual report FY 2011 of KIGEPE
3. Community cafe to assist work for marriage migrant women: Jan Don market, Guanzhou
4. Seodaemungu Multicultural Family Support Center

Workshop on Gender and Education: Life-long Learning for Women’s Empowerment

Workshop on Gender and Education: Life-long Learning for Women’s Empowerment
(Women’s empowerment through Life-long Learning)

Office of Research and International Affairs organized a workshop on Gender and Education as part of capacity building of NWEC staff on January 19, 2012.
The lecture given by Koto Kanno, NWEC Visiting Fellow, started with confirming the definition of terms such as gender equality, equity and parity. Gender Equality in Education, which represents the qualitative experiences in education should be distinguished from parity, i.e., numerical/quantitative progress indicators, and also from equity, the redistributive policy approach. The gender equality in education should not be measured only through access, such as enrolment ratio, but it should also cover education process, outcomes as well as outcome. The lecture then discusses the paradigm shift from girls/women’s education to Gender in education, referring to the changes in approach and emphasis in Jomtien EFA declaration (1990) and Dakar EFA Framework for Action(2000). Based on lessons learnt since Jomtien, and considering the slow progress in Girls’ Education and female literacy, Dakar EFA Framework for Action stresses the need for integrated strategies for gender equality in education and recognizes the need for changes in attitudes, values and practices. Moreover, referring to the experiences in Nepal, Ms Kanno discussed women’s empowerment through education and literacy. Empowerment through literacy gives rise to self-respect, confidence and dignity of women, widens their life-choices, and opens their future perspective. Ms Kanno also introduced the scale-up strategy of good practices of girls’ education, so that successful experiences be not only expanded widely at the country level, but also reflected to the national level educational plan and development strategy. Finally, the workshop discussed the Japanese situation, where gender parity achieved at the primary and secondary education levels, does not necessarily correspond with the progress of gender parity and equality in higher education and in society at large.

KIGEPE Delegation Visit

From December 18 to 20, 2011, Director of Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education (KIGEPE), Ms. Sangwha LEE, and Division Head of KIGEPE, Ms. Jooyoung LEE visited Japan. KIGEPE and NWEC have entered into Exchange and Cooperation Agreement in 2006.

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They visited NWEC on the 19th. After welcome speech by President Utsumi, Ms. Nakano, Director of Office of Research and International Affairs, made a presentation about the history and programs of NWEC. Then, Director LEE briefed on KIGEPE South Center, which opened in May 2011. After exchange of opinions with NWEC personnel, they also visited Information Center for Women's Education and Women's Archives Center.

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They also visited "Michi-no-Eki (roadside station) Menuma," run by women in Menuma, Kumagaya-city, where Ms. Ginko Ogino, the first woman medical doctor in Japan, was born. Ms. Yuko Ohtoge, representative of the Michi-no-Eki, told them about management of the restaurant including product development, such as ice cream using leek, signature agricultural product of the region. Next day, they exchanged opinions at Higashi-Matsuyama Farm Stand, JA Saitama Chuou, about family management agreement and empowerment of rural women with Ms. Toshiko Oigawa at Saitama Association of Exchange Supporters for Supporting Women Farmers and Director Chie Suzuki, General Manager Mutsuo Komine, and Division Manager Toshie Ohara at JA Saitama Chuou. Then, they made a tour of a miso factory. KIGEPE delegation made a courtesy visit to Ms. Junko Arai. Ms. Arai runs Helathy Cafe Nora, a community cafe for mothers who have a less than one-year child. They enjoyed a healthy lunch prepared by Chef Kayoko Miura.

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【Caption】
1. Ms. Sangwa Lee, Director of KIGEPE and Ms. Fusako Utsumi, President of
　　NWEC
2. Ms. Sangwa is making a presentation about KIGEPE South Center
3. Visiting the Information Center for Women’s Education of NWEC
4. With Ms. Yuko Ohtoge, representative of Michi-no-Eki Menuma,
　　taking a commemorative photo in front of panels of Japanese pioneer women.
5. Leek-flavored ice cream at Michi-no-Eki Menuma
6. Exchanging opinions with staff members of JA Saitama Chuo
7. A tour of a miso factory at JA Saitama Chuo
8. Taking a photo with staff members of “Healthy Cafe Nora”
9. At “Healthy Cafe Nora”

President

A New Year Message
　　　　　　　　 Ms. Fusako Utsumi, President
　　　　　　　　National Women's Education Center
　The 2011 Asia Women Eco-Science Forum took place in Seoul, Korea in November 2011, at which three of us from NWEC were privileged to participate. The Forum had been initiated in 2008 with the objective of energizing, through mutual exchanges, women scientists and engineers in Japan, China and Korea. The hosting of the annual forum rotates in turn between the three countries. The last Forum held in Korea developed into a big event with delegates participating from Asia-Pacific region including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

　As for Japan, there are a growing number of women venturing into the field of research, as evidenced by the annual increase of their number. In the last few years, for example, the ratio of women researchers increased from 13.0% to 13.6% and reached 13.8% last year. This figure, however, is the lowest among the thirty OECD member countries. It is clear that women’s success in this field in Japan is yet to come.

　NWEC organizes Summer School for Junior and High School Girls in collaboration with universities, academic societies and business organizations. This was initiated to increase the number of girl students who will want to aim at being researchers and engineers. The school is held at NWEC for three days during the summer holidays. Engineers and researchers from businesses and universities join the event as interested supporters. It is a major event that involves some 200 people including parents, guardians and teachers. Last year, due to the need to minimize the use of electric power because of the series of disasters that had hit Japan, a one-day event was held in Tokyo organized by the Executive Committee for Summer School for High and Junior High School Girls 2010. This year, NWEC plans to conduct the school once again at the Center. All of us are looking forward to the echo of energetic young voices in NWEC’s grounds in Ranzan-machi town.

　It is not just in the field of research that women’s participation is lagging. The other area that stands out must be the acute lack of female advancement in the management echelons of businesses and organizations. As of 2010, the ratio of women in managerial positions was 6.2%. This compares unfavorably with those of the Western countries where the ratio reaches 30 to 40 %.

　NWEC is committed therefore to promoting the participation of women leaders in local governments, gender equality centers and other women’s centers to attend leadership training sessions and exchanges. It is hoped that leaders will take back what they have learned at NWEC to their local workplaces so as to actively promote various initiatives for gender-equal plans and thereby contribute to the building of a gender-equal society in Japan. Recently, businesses have created departments such as gender equality or diversity promotion offices, committed to promoting gender-equal programs. We are putting together programs for leaders of these newly created positions so that they may participate in training sessions and exchange held at NWEC. We eagerly welcome their participation.

　Leadership in the fields of science and technology as well as at corporate and organizational levels has been developed in a male-centric fashion over the years. As such, the increasing participation of women in these areas cannot be achieved overnight. It us urgently required that a thorough examination take place regarding reasons why women’s entry is difficult, and then to make and steadily implement concrete plans to change this. This year too, every member of the NWEC staff will be working as one to step-by-step advance gender equality.

　We ask you in advance for your support and cooperation.

FY2011 NWEC International Symposium

Go to Japanese page → 日本語ページはこちらへ

On October 29 (Saturday), the National Women’s Education Center of Japan (NWEC) held the “2011 NWEC International Symposium” with the theme of “Disaster Restoration and Gender” under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

　The symposium was co-hosted by NWEC and the Organization Committee for the International Symposium on “Disaster Restoration and Gender” under the auspices of JICA. The “International Symposium” consisted of two parts; in part one, the keynote addresses were made by two lecturers. Ms. Akiko Domoto, Representative of the Japan Network for Women and Health lectured on disaster restoration based on gender perspectives, and Dr. Sepali Kottegoda, Chair of APWW (Asia Pacific Women’s Watch) presented on key issues and challenges in the Asia Pacific Region regarding gender mainstreaming within disaster management policies.

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During the time between part one and two, a poster session on disaster prevention and disaster mitigation efforts, as well as gender in each country, was held by 11 trainees attending the “2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officer and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region,” which was conducted by NWEC prior to the International Symposium. Lively discussions were held on the government policies in each country and the efforts made in the area of gender equality. Thus, the session provided a valuable opportunity for specialists and researchers in Japan and the trainees to interact with each other. The posters featured in the session can be downloaded here.

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In part two, Ms. Asako Osaki was invited from the Gender Action Platform as a facilitator, and a panel discussion titled “Post-Disaster Community Reconstruction and Gender” was held. Dr. Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Founder of the Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society in Thailand, reported on the importance of gender perspectives in the period of restoration after a natural disaster, while citing as an example a tsunami in the southern part of Thailand. Dr. Shantana R. Halder, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist in the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) reported on gender and social aspects in terms of disasters from the perspective of Bangladesh. Ms. Keiko Hiraga, Chair of Sankaku Planning Iwate introduced the case example of a delivery care project based on the needs of the female victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Lastly, Ms. Cui Xuebo, one of the trainees attending the “2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officer and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region” reported on the results of the training on behalf of all the trainees.

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　In an atmosphere where questions were coming one after another from the floor about the disaster prevention and disaster mitigation efforts in each country, and where the question and answer sessions was active, the “International Symposium” came to a close.

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[Captions]
1. Keynote Address by Ms. Akiko Domoto
2. Keynote Address by Dr. Sepali Kottegoda
3. Poster Session held during intermission
4. Panel Discussion (Left: Ms. Asako Osaki, Right: Dr. Juree Vichit-Vadakan)
5. Panel Discussion (Left: Dr. Shantana R. Halder, Right: Ms. Keiko Hiraga)
6. Lecturers of the Symposium and the trainees attending the Seminar for Women Leaders

FY2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officer and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region

Seminar Schedule

Go to Japanese page → 日本語ページはこちら

　The National Women’s Education Center of Japan (NWEC) held the “2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officer and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region” from October 20 to October 29 under the theme of the roles played by women in disaster restoration. Representing 9 countries in the Asia-Pacific region (India, Indonesia, South Korea, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), 11 women leaders working for headquarters organizations in each country, nongovernmental organizations, or educational institutions took part in the seminar as trainees.
　
On October 20, the 11 trainees arrived at NWEC. After participating in the program orientation, they visited the Information Center for Women’s Education and the Women’s Archives Center. After lunch, in the afternoon, they received a lecture on efforts from a gender perspective made by the Japanese Government and private organizations toward disaster restoration from Dr. Keiko Ikeda, Professor in the Department of Education at Shizuoka University. Additionally, they participated in a presentation on the history, functions, and operations of the National Women’s Education Center of Japan from Ms. Kubo, Vice President of NWEC.

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On the second day of the training, the trainees spent all day engaging in country report presentations and having discussions from a gender perspective about efforts made in their own countries in a time of disaster. In the evening on the same day, they attended the networking event of the “Forum on Exchange in Research and Practices Promoting Gender Equality (NWEC Forum)” organized by the National Women’s Education Center of Japan and deepened exchanges with those who are promoting gender equality in Japan.

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　On October 22, the poster session was held at the venue of the NWEC Forum. The trainees exchanged views with the Forum’s participants on efforts related to disaster prevention, disaster mitigation, and gender in countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

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On October 24, the trainees deepened their understanding of the gender equality policy pursued by the Japanese Government at the Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Office. They then made a courtesy call to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In the afternoon, all the trainees moved on to Kobe City.

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On October 25, the trainees visited the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution to visit a space where they can experience what was happening at the time of the Great-Hanshin Earthquake through images and sound, and see a reproduction of the town immediately after the earthquake. They also saw an exhibition of the records of the disaster and learned about the restoration initiatives. They later visited Ms. Kazumi Inamura, the Mayor of Amagasaki City, at the Amagasaki City Hall and exchanged candid views with the Mayor, who is involved in child-rearing as well as in activities as a policymaker. In the afternoon, they visited “Trepied,” the Amagasaki Women’s Center. After taking a look around the facility, they listened to a lecture on operations, training courses, etc., carried out by Trepied. They then viewed a video message from Ms. Mutsumi Suda, City Council Member of Amagasaki City, followed by a lecture on how to deal with violence against women, which occurred during the period of disaster restoration. from Ms. Reiko Masai of the Executive Board of Women’s Net Kobe, part of the NPO Center for Supporting Women and Children. After the lecture, discussions were held with the trainees.

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On October 27 and 28, Ms. Asako Osaki was invited from the Gender Action Platform as a facilitator. The trainees reported the results of the 10-day training program and prepared materials for presentations at the International Symposium scheduled for the next day.

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On the final day, October 29, the “2011 NWEC International Symposium for Disaster Restoration and Gender” was held in Tokyo. The trainees participated in the symposium, and a trainee representative made a presentation to raise issues and make policy proposals for the challenges common to each country, namely support for disaster restoration that reflects the needs of female victims, community reconstruction, and the roles played by women in establishing disaster prevention and restoration systems.

　In between the lectures and visits, the trainees were provided with opportunities to learn about Japanese history and culture. On October 27, volunteers of NWEC held a tea ceremony class. In a tea ceremony house that the trainees tried for the first time to sit down Japanese style, which is kneeling on the floor with their legs folded beneath their thighs, and were served Japanese sweets and green powdered tea. Thus, they enjoyed Japanese culture.

The trainees commented as follows: “I was given a valuable opportunity to learn about efforts related to disaster prevention, disaster mitigation, and gender in each country including Japan,” “I want to leverage the network of people I created through the seminar for my future career,” etc.

　Sincere appreciation is extended to those who received the trainees attending the seminar, as well as to the lecturers, and to those who cooperated as volunteers. 　

[Captions]
1. Visiting the Information Center
2. Attending the NWEC Forum Networking Event
3. At the Poster Session
4. Courtesy call to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
5. Visiting the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution
6. Exchanging views with Ms. Kazumi Inamura, Mayor of Amagasaki City
7. Visiting “Trepied,” the Amagasaki Women’s Center, and taking a look around the facility
8. At the Closing Ceremony of the Seminar for Women Leaders