[vol.5] Report_International Women's Day (March 8): The 11th Korean Women's Rally - "Celebration for women and men voters"

International Women's Day (March 8): The 11th Korean Women's Rally - "Celebration for women and men voters" On March 12th in early spring, I attended the, "Celebration for women and men voters" and became so excited I forgot about how cold it was. Photos which were on display around the venue showing violence against women in the home made people who were just passing by serious. In another place the Korean Society for Democracy and Sisterhood, an housewives' cultural group, presented a drama where women were clumsily dancing with their babies and lives on their backs. To see this drama gave us strength. Sunny smile of members of Women Workers Association who participate in the "Men and Women Votes Rally" 3.8 International Women's Day was established to commemorate the fact that many American women workers who worked in the textile industry died miserably in bad working conditions. Now in many countries this day has become a big event, with whole family participation. However in Korea it has not yet reached this level. Nevertheless in Korea it has developed from women's struggles, demands, and assembly to become a festival of culture and solidarity. In the first session each participating group introduced its role and activities, and raised and waved their banners, and a representative of each organisation introduced herself to everyone. This helped me to understand the other organisations. Following this, there was an opening address by Han Myung-Sook, Co-representative of Korean Women Association United, who explained the slogan of the opening ceremony, "Let's send women candidates who propose open politics and life politics to the local elections". Owing to the end of the Cold War Era, at the present time democracy is prevailing all over the world. Even in Korea democracy is developing out of the previously closed system of military authority dictatorship and chauvinism. In the 21th century, because of the importance of pursuing higher standards of living, public welfare in all areas will be a political issue. Nowadays the political participation of women is positive and highly encouraging. From a logical point of view, the slogan, "Let's guarantee 20% participation of women in the Local Councils!" was created. In the next session three people explained their own experience of political participation. Each person was limited to three minutes each but their presentations impressed me more than any other theoretical claims. However the highlight of this year will be the "Announcement of fourteen women candidates who are earnest workers in local community"! They have already achieved solutions to many local problems while working hard in every area of this country, and will run for the local councils on behalf of their local community and women. Isn't the political participation of these women a source of hope because they have strong careers and strong wills in their role as local workers? When some of the husbands of these fourteen candidates expressed their support of their wives in the elections, they were given a large round of applause. When the "Celebration for men and women voters" declaration was read aloud, we shouted unanimously once again the slogan "Open politics and life politics, send women representatives to the Local Assembly!" As I left the rally after three hours of participation, I said in spite of myself, "Politics is not a difficult thing!", "Let we women participate and make it more valuable for society!"