By Jay Chevalier 

Most people who have lived in Korea are aware of the repressed role of women in Korean society. For example, women are expected to find a husband rather than pursue a career. If a woman does enter the work world, she is expected to quit her job once she gets married. A single woman 30 years of age or older may find it difficult to find decent employment or may have to lie about her marital status to obtain a good job. 

Although Korea is a safer place at night for women than many other countries, there are many rapes that occur. In most cases, the rapes go unreported because the blame is generally placed on women or they are made to feel humiliated. 

Domestic violence is a serious problem in Korea as well. The June 6, 1997 edition of the Korea Herald publicized a report by the Korea Institute of Criminology showing that 46% of 640 women surveyed said their husbands hit them. More than 14% experience habitual assaults and 4.7% said their husbands used knives, iron pipes and other materials to beat them with. A larger study, conducted in 1993 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that 61% of 7500 women had been beaten by their husbands. 

The Korean Women's Hot Line, a nationwide activist organization, helped lead efforts for legislation to stop domestic violence. However, the Stop Domestic Violence Bill, enacted in 1994, has been sidelined for 3 years now. Despite lack of support from politicians, women are making a difference in Korea. All across this nation, Women's Centers are being established and networks set up to increase awareness of and fight for basic rights for women. 

In the greater Pusan area, such centers help women find jobs, organize public support for equal rights, teach English, provide food for North Korean children and help fight sexual harassment in the workplace. There are centers in Tongnae and Koejong. If you would like to support their efforts, the best means, perhaps, is a donation. You can go to any bank and say you'd like to make a donation to account #077-01-033721 of Pusan Bank. Kim Young-Jae or Pusan Women's Center will be the name on the account. It would be best to call first. You will probably need someone who speaks Korean to help you communicate on the phone. The number to call is 202-8289. The number to call regarding sexual harassment is 513-2475/6. For foreigners who encounter problems with employers, the Women's Center in Youngsan may be able to help. The number there is 0523-388-0988. It's both easy to get involved and help these efforts succeed, as well as receive assistance from these groups, if needed.