6 ways to celebrate International Women's Day in Seoul
A member of Korea Women's Hotline hands out white roses in Gwanghwamun Plaza to celebrate International Women's Day last March 8. This year they will hand out yellow roses. / Korea Times file
By Annan Dunbar
March 8 marks International Women's Day. The occasion was made official by the United Nations in 1975, but has roots in the suffragette movements of the early 20th century. Korea has seen drastic increases in women's status, but women here still face a high gender wage gap and underrepresentation in executive positions and in politics.
Here is a selection of events that will be held in Seoul on Friday that will both celebrate the achievements of women, support women's movements and give a chance to acknowledge that there is still progress to be made.
SIWA museum tour:
Seoul International Women's Association (SIWA)
is an organization that brings women together to connect and learn about Korean culture as well as support vulnerable members and communities in Korea through direct assistance as a part of their fundraising and volunteer efforts. The group's regularly scheduled events include an
English language tour of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
that will be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on International Women's Day. The tour will be led by David A. Mason, an expert on traditional Korean culture and history and a professor of Korean tourism at Sejong University.
Yellow roses in Gwanghwamun: The 35th Korea Women's Convention will be taking place in Gwanghwamun Plaza with
. Members from Korea Women's Hotline will be handing out yellow roses. If you're in the area between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., stop by and see what they have on offer. A street march begins at 7:15 p.m.
Vineworks hosts wino buffet: For a jubilant way to take in the day, join
for a
night of unlimited wine tasting
and a French-themed buffet from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can taste and learn about wines from around the world and talk to Vineworks' trained staff to learn more.
Benefit for N. Korean refugee women: A variety of acts including bands, DJs and dancers will be
in support of
Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR)
. TNKR has been providing English language tutoring for North Korean refugees since 2013 when its founders discovered that one of the main barriers to North Korean refugees' success in education was their lack of English language understanding, which had become crucial in higher level education. According to TNKR, 76.8 percent of the 400 students who enrolled at their center in 2018 were women. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Donations can be made at the event or by purchasing tickets through Eventbrite, Paypal or GoFundMe. Half of the proceeds will go to TNKR and half will go to North Korean women who have asked for TNKR assistance.
Billy Carter plays in Sangsu-dong: All-girl
rock 'n' roll blues duo Billy Carter
are playing at Jebi Dabang near Sangsu Station exit 3. Featuring Kim Ji-won (vocalist) and Kim Jina (guitarist), Billy Carter delivers kickass music by kickass women. At
, the band can be viewed in two different ways: in the comfortable lounge-like atmosphere of the basement or alternatively from above where seating on the main level surrounds a large cutout in the floor directly above the stage. Show up early for seats. The show is free but donations are welcome.
Make art, sip wine:
is celebrating International Women's Day one day later on Saturday, March 9, with a
. Instructor Nadia Thompson provides step-by-step instructions, so no prior experience is required. The cost is 35,000 won which covers all supplies needed plus one drink. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The two members of Billy Carter / Courtesy of Billy Carter