JOANNE LEE May 29, 2004 GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN SEOUL, KOREA MEDIA AND WOMEN’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS -...

JOANNE LEE

May 29, 2004

GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN

SEOUL, KOREA

MEDIA AND WOMEN’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS

- Korean Case

CONTENT

1. Preface

2. Status of Women in Korean Economy

In General

Historical Overview

Barriers

Changing Issues

3. Policy & Institutional Reforms

1994 Beijing Platform for Action

1997 Asian Financial Crisis

4. Women’s Economic Role In Korean Mass Media

In General

As Consumers

As Entrepreneurs

As Workers

5. Recommendations

6. The Brave New World GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN 2004

I. PREFACE

Historically, Korean women have been alienated, discriminated against and underutilized in the work place.

Women’s economic role has been largely overlooked or wrongly stereotyped and perpetuated by the media, though it is beginning to change for the better.

The financial crisis of 1997 brought the realization that Korea needed to adopt global standards to survive and prosper in today’s interconnected global market.

Integration of educated women into workforce and full utilization of their potential is a must for Korea to reach its goal of $20,000 per capita economy.

Mass media has an important role to play in changing and promoting women’s economic profile for the future.

GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN 2004

II. STATUS OF WOMEN IN KOREAN ECONOMY

Women active in economic field

1994 - 47.8% of female population

2003 - 49.6% of female population(vs OECD 61.3%)

(9.56Million / 19.28Mil)

Women’s pay scale

1990 - 55% of men

2001 - 64.3% of men

2002 - 63.9% of men

Public pension fund participation

Women 31% VS Men 65%

(Average life expectancy Female 85 Male 77 )

Korean Bureau of Statistics Jul. 2004In General


II. STATUS OF WOMEN IN KOREAN ECONOMYHistorical Overview

1960’s-1970’s Factory worker in light export industries as cheap source of labor(Rural & largely uneducated women)

1980’s Entry into clerical work force (mostly graduates of commercial & vocational high schools) forced to retire upon marriage

1990’s Small group of college graduates in dominantly male work force as “token cases”

1997 Financial crisis

2000’s - Increasing number and importance of women in work place

- Changing role & perception of womenGLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN 2004

Ingrained gender stereotyping in education from early childhood

- Text Book

- Teacher Counseling

Gender discriminatory practices in employment and work environment

Lack of child care facilities and support

Inflexible work hours Vicious cycle of M curve

Barriers




CHEAP LABOR FACTORY WORKERS CLERKS LONELY FEW

FEMALE MANAGERS

1960-1970 1980 1990 2003

OFFICE WORK PRESSURE FOR EQUALITY

PROFESSIONALIZATION

Cost Advantage

Convenience Supplementary Role

Token Case “Glass Wall”

15-20% Critical Mass

Business Necessity

1980 6.5% of Female work force(More than 5 years continued employment)

1999 28.2% of Female work force(More than 5 years continued employment)

2002 College grads aged 30-40 comprise 42% of total female work force

ISSUES : 90’S DISCRIMINATION & UNDERUTILIZATION

2000’s LEADERSHIP & WIN-WIN

Changing Issues


Survey of 2, 347 female workers by MINISTRY of LABOR & JOB KOREA CO.

60.8% Discrimination in assignments

58.3% Limited promotion

45.8% Maternity leave will hamper career

15.9% Pressured to quit when married

Survey of 2, 325 married female workers aged 20-30

52.5% Experienced discrimination when married

36.1% Received pressure to leave when pregnant

16.6% Reduction / Freeze in pay

15.9% Exempted from promotion

70 % Quit

Yonhap News Service Feb. 24, 2004Discriminations



Survey of 1, 205 married w / no children

39.5% For lack of child care facilities

17.8% Child care expense too heavy

20 % Planning no children

Solution

41.9% Government

24.3% Business

23.2% Social Prejudice

5.2% Self

Yonhap News Service Feb. 24, 2004


Discriminations


1997 Survey of 100 Large Business KWDI

28% Low Loyalty

14% Quit Easily

14% Business Trip / Night Work

14% Poor Integration into Organization

11% Work Not Suitable For Women

8% More Absences

II. STATUS OF WOMEN IN KOREAN ECONOMYUnderutilization of Women

Employment by Age by Country Why Avoid Women?


Vicious Cycle of M Curve



III. POLICY & INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

1995 - Beijing Platform for Action

1995.10 - “Women’s Development Act”

- Gender Equality Roadmap

- 30% Representation of women in broadcasting oversight

committees by 2005

- Creation of objective standards to evaluate gender based

stereotypes in mass media

- Legal basis for rectifying gender discriminatory factors in

employment & other areas

1997 - Asian Financial Crisis

1998 - D.J. Kim Administration

Pro-women Policy Implementation

2001.1 - “Ministry of Gender Equality”

Woman Korea : A McKinsey Report


III. POLICY & INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

2001.11 - “Protection of Motherhood “ Act

“Women’s Economic Development” Act

2003. 3 - Revision of “Women’s Development Act”

2003. 6 - “Promotion of Women in Science & Technology” Act

2003. 7 - Affirmative Action for Female Teachers in Public Universities

(20% Goal 2003 – 2007)

2004. 1 - “Child Care” Act

Transfer of child care division to Ministry of Gender Equality from Ministry of Health & Welfare


IV. WOMEN’S ECONOMIC ROLE IN KOREAN MASS MEDIA

Up to 1990’s:

Perpetuation of gender biased stereotypes

Lack of interest, little coverages of women as economic entities

Shallow, passive reporting of statistics or releases given by other sources

No in-depth or investigative stories on women entrepreneurs except as novelties

One dimensional view of women as passive consumers

2000’s:

Increasing coverages of rising “women power” phenomenon

Trendy stories of venture CEO’s, IT, Entertainment Stars

Increasing visibility of women in politics, civil society, government and business

Still view business women as exceptions rather than norm

ex. Web Search of Maeil Economic Daily (www.mk.co.kr)

“Women” ( 0 ) Directory on Economy (53) Directory on Shopping/Beauty/Health

( 1 ) Site (2603) Sites

Media Coverages in General



2004 :

Notable increase in coverages of women’s activities in general due to national election and affirmative action.

Ex. “Child Care Should be Borne by Public Funding”

“Women CEO Leadership Forum” – Women Times

“Women Workers in Banking Paid Half of Male Counterparts”

“Great Leap Forward for Women in New Hires & Government Exams”

Media Coverages in General



Control 90% of Department Store Sales

Decision Makers and Spenders of 80% of Household Disposable Income

Major Influence on Purchase of Big Ticket Items such as Houses, Cars, Furniture, Appliances, Family Vacations, etc. - Advertising

Over 100 Consumer Magazines Targeted for Women

“Cyber Women Power” – Internet Shopping by Volume

2000 2003

Male 12.5% 27.4%

Female 12 % 37 %

Ex. <Interpark>- Largest Cyber Mall Female Purchase 2001.1 38%

www.interpark.com 2003.8 53%

<Auction(E-bay)> 1999 19%

www.auction.co.kr 2001 41%

2003 44%

As Consumers Digital Times 2004.2 Chosun Ilbo 2004.1



As Consumers Chosun Ilbo 2004.1



TREND 20% Increase in 5 years

1997 : 924,380 Women owned businesses

2000 : 1,021,515 Women owned businesses

2002 : 1,147,664 Women owned businesses

PROFITABLE Profit Average KRW 21.5 Mil.

Sales Average KRW 164.6 Mil. – 13.1% P/S

vs Industry Avg. 2.7% P/S

LOW DEBT RATIO 64.3% vs Industry Avg. 173.7%

EMPLOYMENT 2003 Full-time Employment 2.13Mil. Avg. 2.06 persons

2001 Full-time Employment Avg. 3.5 persons

DISADVANTAGE AS WOMEN 1999 40.8%

2003 26.5%

As Entrepreneurs

Small Medium Industry Authority 2003.8

Coverages of Successful Professionals, CEO’s

Housewife – Turned Entrepreneurs



As Entrepreneurs

Chosun Ilbo 2004.1

Coverages of Successful Professionals, CEO’s

Housewife – Turned Entrepreneurs



As Workers

USA UK EU Japan Korea

Economically Active 77% 68% 72% 59% 50%

Mid ManagementSenior Management

41%3-5%

29% 3%

18%1.5%

5%Under

1%

4%Under

1%

Pay Ratio 74% 89% 82% 64% 64%

ILO(2000)


V. RECOMMENDATIONS

CHANGE THE MEDIA’S ROLE FROM PASSIVE OBSERVER TO THAT OF AN

INSTIGATOR & LEADER IN WOMEN’S ISSUES

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Increase women’s participation and access to decision-making process in media enterprises

- Set goals & targets for gender balance in employment & management

- Create gender friendly environment

- Flexible work schedules

- Establish mentoring systems in media

MEDIA WATCH

Promote a balanced and non-stereo typed portrayal of women in mainstream media as active contributors to national economy and vital element for achieving national goals

Balance assignments on “Soft” issues such as fashion, culture, arts,, etc. with “Core” issues of politics, economy and current affairs


V. RECOMMENDATIONS

ORGANIZE SUSTAINED MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Change gender biases & stereotypes

Empower women in economic progress

Expand news coverages of women sourced by women or with women’s perspectives

Promote and educate the public that … utilization of women’s resources is a must for Korea’ survival in 21c

PUNISHMENTS AND INCENTIVES


THE WOMEN’S NEWS. INC.

Founded in 1988 after the Seoul Olympics through public stock offering.

Weekly 32 page tabloid format with readership of 98,000

Led the feminist movement and became the voice of women’s activism for gender equality

Set the agenda for women’s issues in national & presidential elections

Initiated & hosted presidential candidates’ TV debates on women’s issues

Still financially vulnerable

Focus

Up to 2003 - Feminist Activism for improved status of women

- Political, Social Agenda including violence against women

2004 - Leadership, Economy & Health

http://www.womennews.co.kr


http://www.womennews.co.kr/




THE WOMEN’S NEWS. INC.

[Top Ten Women's News in 2002]

[1] Presidential candidate TV debate organized bywomen elevates the status of women groups

[2] The death of two schoolgirls sparks nationwide campaign for the revision of the SOFA

[3] Appointment of first women Prime Minister Chang Sang vetoed by legislators

[4] The first inter-Korean Women’s Reunification Rally since national division

[5] Korea’s birth rate of 1.3 the world’s lowest[6] Birth of the Committee on Women’s Affairs as a Na

tional Assembly Standing Committee[7] Anti-Prostitution Act proposed at the National Ass

embly[8] Passionate response of women the biggest contrib

utor to a successful World Cup[9] ‘Cyber Mentoring’ campaign initiated by the Minist

ry of Gender Equality opens a new chapter in the women’s movement

[10] VAT-exemption on sanitary napkins becomes a public issue


VI. BRAVE NEW WORLD

o Strong Political Will and Leadership

o Collaboration of

Government

Media

NGO’s

Private Sector

o Gender equality and full utilization of women power are crucial pre-requisites for Korea’s reaching her goal of joining the world’s 10 largest economies.

o THE MARCH HAS JUST BEGUN.


JOANNE LEE May 29, 2004 GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN SEOUL, KOREA MEDIA AND WOMEN’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS -...

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