Presidential Commission on Women’s Affairs - Republic of Korea

The Presidential Commission on Women’s Affairs (PCWA) is Korea’s top governing body on women’s issues and replaces the previous Ministry of Political Affairs (II). Though lacking in power to propose legislation, the PCWA was accorded semi-judicial power by the Gender Discrimination Prevention and Relief Act 1999.

The jurisdiction of the Commission has empowered it to:

1. investigate gender discrimination complaints; and

2. decide the merits of the complaint, and arbitrate, report, and make a reparation recommendation for such a case.

A further function of the Commission is to make recommendations or express its opinions on the reform of gender-discriminatory laws, institutions, or policies. It can monitor the implementation of its recommendations by demanding a report on the results of actions taken. It is the Commission’s duty to establish and distribute standards for the prohibition of gender discrimination and guidelines for reparation. The Commission is to submit annual reports to a regular session of the National Assembly on the redress of gender discrimination cases and other activities during the previous year.

In April 1999, the Commission established a "Gender Equality Award" for outstanding persons who contributed to gender mainstreaming. Also top on the agenda was sexual harassment and affirmative action programmes as well as assistance for women entrepreneurs. The Anti-sexual Discrimination Commission has also been established under the aegis of the Presidential Commission on Women's Affairs.

Gender Equality Promotion Committee

The Committee is established under the Basic Law for the Advancement of Women and falls under the portfolio of the Minister of Political Affairs (II). It is composed of 10 experts in their relevant field and examines, reviews and investigates cases of gender discrimination reported by individuals or organisations. If deemed necessary, the committee sets into action steps to redress the problem. Since 1997, the Committee has been issuing guidelines for gender mainstreaming in all sectors of society. The guidelines are targeted at both the public and private sector and are intended to become the standard framework for examining cases and situations of gender discrimination.