Korea Women’s Development Organization Survey
When asked about the need to expand gender in 12 public sectors
“Local public corporations need more women” is at its highest
Only the police have a relatively high number of answers to ‘male enhancement’
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It was found that 6 out of 10 ordinary citizens think that the proportion of female managers in local public enterprises should be ‘increased’. According to the report titled “Improving Women’s Representation in the Public Sector (2018-2022) and Establishing the Future Target Rate” released by the Korea Women’s Development Institute on the 6th, the response rate of “expanding women” (62.5% ) among the public sector Local public enterprises were in the highest position. Currently, the proportion of female managers in local public enterprises is 11.8%, the third lowest among 12 public sectors after the military (8.2%) and senior government officials (10%). ‘Improving the representation of women in the public sector’ refers to expanding the ratio of female managers in 12 public sectors, including public officers (national and local offices), public organisations, local public enterprises, teachers, soldiers, the police, and government committees. With the aim of expanding and reducing the glass ceiling, since 2013, it has consulted with related ministries to establish targets for each sector on a five-year basis and review the implementation status. The Korea Women’s Development Institute conducted a survey on ‘representation of women in the public sector’ targeting 1821 women and men between the ages of 18 and 69 across the country on October 14-24 last year to establish targets of citizens who thought the ratio of should increase female managers above those who answered that the current level was appropriate. As a result of the survey, only two areas, ‘Government Committee’ and ‘Principal/Vice-Principal’, answered that ‘the current level is appropriate’ as a percentage of female managers among 12 public areas. In the case of both areas, it is interpreted that the ratio of female managers (from 2021) is relatively high compared to other public sectors, namely 42.4% and 45.8%, respectively. Among the 12 fields, only these two fields have more than 30% female managers. What is notable is that in the areas of ‘general police’ (14.2%) and ‘maritime police’ (14.5%), despite the low proportion of female executives, the proportions of those who answered that ‘needs to increase’ the male ratio. ‘ was 24.1% and 25.6%, respectively, %, which is about twice as high as in other areas. This shows that the perception that ‘police = male’ still prevails.
The researchers then surveyed on a 5-point scale (1 point not at all, 5 points very much) how much they think is needed to expand women’s careers in science and technology, media, sports and firefighting. As a result, the area where the perception that an increase in the proportion of women was needed was highest in science and technology (3.29 points), followed by high-ranking positions in the media (3.27 points). Based on this survey, the research team added the field of science and technology to the third plan (2023-2027) to improve the representation of women in the public sector, and the proportion of women among public officials in specific positions (foreign affairs, the police, firefighting, prosecutors, education, etc.) It has been suggested that even in the firefighting sector, which has the lowest rate of 10% (by 2021), a target needs to be set for the proportion of women per year. Regarding whether the number of areas to set targets in the 3rd plan should be increased, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family replied, “We are still discussing with the relevant ministries.” Reporter Oh Se-jin 5sjin@hani.co.kr
