Better educated and employed, they no longer suffer sexual harassment in silence
Two South Korean court rulings on sexual harassment last week have put the spotlight on changing attitudes towards women in the country.
In one, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that a man who forced restaurant waitresses to do a “love shot” – in which two people drink beer with their arms entwined – was guilty of sexual harassment.
In the other, the same court considered charges brought against a man for taking pictures of a woman in a mini-skirt.
He was acquitted as there was “no proof to show that he wanted to gratify his sexual desire or humiliate the victim”. But the fact that the land’s highest court even heard such cases was a milestone.
Sexual harassment cases have become more high-profile in recent years as more victims take the offenders to task – and succeed.
Last year, a university instructor was sacked following revelations that he had asked a Japanese student for sex in return for a good grade. In 2006, a political party dismissed a prominent law-maker for groping a female reporter during a drinking session.
The incidents reflect the growing power of women in a Confucian society which has long subordinated them to men.
Not long ago, victims would have suffered in silence. Now, women are able to fight back.
One reason for their increasing clout is that there ar emore educational opportunities for women with many studying for doctorates. That was unthinkable just two generations ago.
In the 1960s, limited resources meant that parents could only afford to send their sons to schools. Daughters tended to the family at home.
“As educated women, we are more aware of our rights and willing to exercise them,” said Madam Park Sook Huei, a member of the feminist civic group Korea Women’s Associations United.
Their quest for better treatment has also been aided by their growing financial clout.
Half the women in South Korea are employed, up from just 30% two decades ago.
Accountant Kim Jin Hee, 34, said: “Financial independence gives us more confidence to take on the men when we are wronged.”
Their confidence has also been fuelled by the increased female representation in Parliament. Women hold 39 of the 299 parliamentary seats, twice the number they had in the previous legislature.
Last year, a Ministry of Gender Equality survey of 2000 women aged between 15 and 44 found that only one in 10 respondents believed that a couple must have a son. That was a sharp drop from 40% in 1991.
A significant development for women came into effect this year when the government abolished the family registry system. It had recognised only males as the household head. Under the new system, each family member will have his or her individual register. A child can even choose to take his mother’s surname instead of his father’s.
In view of their growing power in society, women are sending out a clear message to the men who still harbour outdated notions of their status.
As Madan Park said: “We want to be treated with respect and will seek resource if that is not done.”
~ TST Saturday, Apr 5 2008
