Nordic countries discuss gender equality
Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden pose with Korea’s Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kang Eun-hee, center, at a forum titled “Policy Cases of Utilizing Female Talents and Increasing Women in Managerial Positions” at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Dec. 5. From left are Finnish Ambassador Eero Suominen, Danish Ambassador Thomas Lehmann, Swedish Ambassador Anne Hoglund and Norwegian Ambassador Jan Ole Grevstad. / Courtesy of the Embassy of Norway
By Rachel Lee
The ambassadors of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden gathered at the Press Center in Seoul with Korea’s Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kang Eun-hee to discuss gender equality and boost cooperation in related policies and practices.
At the forum with the theme of “Policy Cases of Utilizing Female Talents and Increasing Women in Managerial Positions,” on Dec. 5, the envoys and the minister also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), calling for more exchange of knowledge on the issue.
“Gender equality has always been extremely important to our countries,” the ambassadors said in a statement. “We are happy to have this opportunity to work with Korea in sharing good practices and experience regarding gender equality policies.”
“We see this event as a stepping stone for our countries to work closer together to raise awareness on the importance of gender equality and creating equal opportunities for men and women, also when it comes to issues such as career, entrepreneurship and innovation.”
The forum was comprised of presentations showcasing the status quo of gender equality and policies in the private and public sectors of each country, as well as a panel discussion and Q&A with attendees.
Experts in various fields spoke about past challenges, trials and errors, and the key to success in realizing increased gender equality in their respective areas and countries.
Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education President Min Moo-suk discussed policies to utilize female talent via means such as support of female youth employment, childcare, family-friendly company certification policies, re-employment policies for female career discontinuity, as well as quotas for female managerial positions in the private sector.
State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laila Bokhari presented the successes and challenges in Norway over 60 years.
Pernille Ravn Jakobsen, Ph.D. from the Center for Innovative Medical Technology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) discussed the importance of female roles in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Ericsson-LG CEO in Sweden Patrick Johansson talked about the value and practice in diversity that Ericsson pursues worldwide.