The main agent for women's political empowerment is the networks
of women's organizations. These networks can not only endeavor to promote
women's participation in politics, but also play the role of interest groups
effectively. Now, there are around 3,500 women's organizations in Korea.
They have put lots of efforts to do joint activities or collective actions
through their networks so far. Nonetheless, these joint activities or collective
actions have not been effective because participating organizations are
limited. The reasons for the limited participation can be due to financial
difficulties, limited structure and lack of cooperation among women's organizations.
Through joint activities or collective actions, women's organizations should set up strategies to build up women's political power and the organization of women, which can make political parties interested in establishing systematic women's policies rather than gathering women's votes. Further, they will have to invent joint programs for the increase of women in politics, and act as social interest groups more effectively so as to influence state policies in general and women's policies in particular. Moreover, women's organizations should try to advance more women to the political arena by supporting women candidates, remembering that women's political empowerment will be able to come true when there are many competitive women candidates. Women's organizations should gather their energy to influence the Korean
government and parties for the improvement and the establishment of systems
and policies favorable to women's political participation, through joint
activities or collective actions among themselves. For example, they should
insist on the establishment of a democratic election system reflecting
women's representation; the introduction of women's political participation
rates and the quota system; and the development and expansion of educational
training to improve women's political leadership. |