Korea still discriminates against women: U.N.

The United Nations found that Korea still has plenty of room for improvement with regard to discrimination against women despite recent progress promoting gender equality.

The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women concluded its two-week 39th session, issuing dozens of recommendations for Korea to better protect women from societal mistreatment.

Lauding the Korean government`s effort in abolishing the patriarchal family registry, known as "hoju," its report said it remains concerned that "no clear timeline has been established" for the elimination of what it called a "prime example" of gender discrimination in Korea.

It also recommended that the government criminalize marital rape and punish offenders even without complaints from their victims. The report expressed concern over the low rates of reporting, prosecutions and convictions of cases of violence against women. In addition, it urged the government to ensure all women, including those who live in rural areas, have access to immediate means of redress and protection from domestic violence.

In regards to the persistence of trafficking, exploitation and prostitution, the committee said it was particularly concerned about adolescent girls` sexual relationships with older men for money.

Regarding interracial marriage the report urged the prompt adoption of the draft law on regulating marriage brokers. The committee was troubled by an increase in international marriages, which "may lead to foreign women being trafficked" into Korea for purposes of marriage and exploitation.

It also recommended the government make efforts to educate foreign women of their rights and avenues of redress, including measures to protect themselves from domestic violence.

The report said women in Korea seem to be underrepresented in politics, especially in decision-making bodies. The committee called for a rise in the representation of women in elected and appointed bodies in all areas of public life, including academia and the private sector.

Furthermore, the committee asked the government to take measures against the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

To that end, the committee called for a revision of the Civil Act to raise the minimum legal age of marriage for girls to 18, from 16, to enhance gender equality.

On the job front, the committee lamented the situation of women in the Korean labor market, including the concentration of women in certain low-wage sectors. Their report criticized the high percentage of women in temporary work and the "significant wage gap" between men and women. The government was advised to guarantee "equal pay for work of equal value" regardless of gender.

In accordance with the global body`s recommendations, the Korean government is expected to take necessary measures and to report progress and changes in its next periodic report to be filed to the CEDAW by January 2010.



By Ahn Hyo-lim



(iamhyol@heraldm.com)