Providing active assistance for the realization of gender equality in employment and labor through the transfer of  South Korea’s experience

 On August 29, 2023, the Korea Labor and Employment Service (KLES), headed by Secretary General and CEO Kim, Dae-Hwan, announced the successful completion of an invitation training program for high-ranking public officials. 

The International Labor Bureau of KLES provided a ten-day Fellowship program from August 20th to the 29th for public officials from five countries: Lao PDR, East Timor, Kenya, Jordan, and Dominica Republic. The program was conducted under the theme of “Capacity Building of Government to Achieve Gender Equality in the World of Work”.

The purpose of this program was to enhance the policy competency of participants and promote gender sensitivity among decision-makers in recipients countries by sharing Korea’s experience, policies, and systems related to gender equality. This assistance aimed to contribute to the realization of midand long-term policies for gender equality. 

The training included lectures by subject matter experts and real-time discussions covering a variety of subjects. These subjects encompassed gender status in the labor market, the historical development of gender equality in Korea, the evolution of laws, systems, and policies related to gender equality, primary gender equality policies in Korea, and female employment and support systems for women facing career interruptions in Korea. Trainees had the opportunity to visit various relevant agencies, enhancing their understanding of gender equality systems in employment and labor within Korea. 

In particular, they visited the Comprehensive Childcare Support Center, Female Workforce Development Center, and Women Vision Center in the female-friendly city of Seongnam. These visits offered them firsthand experience of how these systems are put into practice in Korea. 

Ms. Caroline Lentupuru, Commissioner of Kenya’s National Gender Equality Commission and one of the training participants, remarked, “Kenya has recently introduced a policy similar to the Affirmative Action (AA) system in Korea, aiming to realize gender equality in employment and labor.” She further expressed, “Based on what I have learned from this training, I will contemplate the improvements for related systems in Kenya.” 

KLES Secretary General and CEO, Kim, Dae-Hwan emphasized, “In order to achieve gender equality, it is essential for not only individuals, companies, and nations, but also the entire world to join forces as a community.” He continued, “KLES will persist in collaborating with foreign governments through official development aid programs, including providing policy advice.” 

This invitation training program is part of the Global Fellowship Program funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency. KLES is set to administer this program over the course of three years, culminating in 2025.