KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

At present, the expectations of women's role in farming villages have heightened in terms of the development of rural communities, agricultural production, and the creation of nonfarm income, due to diversification in industrial structure and the composition of the rural population. The influx of new female resources into rural areas is highly likely to activate rural communities. However, the social and policy interest in those turning to farming and rural areas has focused on males, failing to pay enough attention to females. The status of and statistics on women turning to farming and rural areas have yet to be identified and prepared, respectively, incurring the lack of specialized policies for women. Now there is a need to conduct research on their adaptation to a rural society, their social and economic participation, and necessary support plans. This paper is designed to analyze difficulties in social adaptation and participation facing such women and their policy needs by assessing the status of those turning to farming and rural areas by gender and conducting interviews with them.

The government has executed research on the status of families turning to farming and rural areas but has yet to clearly understand the status by gender. The proportion of women participating in government-sponsored programs for prospective farmers is estimated to be very low. Women are experiencing culture shock in the process of migrating from urban to rural areas, as well as conflicts attributed to a male-dominated culture, differences in community culture, and generation gaps among women. The differences between urban and rural women in authority, position and living environment have led them to undergo serious difficulties in adaptation. Women have decided to move to farming and rural villages due to diverse reasons such as the intention of their spouses, skepticism about their urban work, educational environment for their children, family happiness, quality of life, their interest in nature etc. They have taken part in various initiatives in education not only as trainees but also trainers, also participate in and lead culture, economy and group activities. The training service provided before moving to rural areas is very important to such women. They have also searched for work required in rural villages, or jobs where their capabilities can be used, participating in life-long training programs and acquiring diverse certificates. In addition, they complained about conflicts with local residents, cultural differences, lack of information, poor transportation etc.

 

In order to resolve such issues, a diversity of measures for women should be developed and included in the male-oriented comprehensive plan for those turning to farming and rural areas. It is necessary to prepare and implement policies such as counseling/information services, adaptation/capability reinforcement training, employment/business establishment support, family adaptation support, reinforcement in networking within the group, and the establishment of better relationships with local residents. Basically, policies for improving their authority/position and quality of life should be strengthened in order to help women successfully settle in rural communities.