KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

Korean Women's Development Institute(KWDI) has been conducting the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families(KLoWF) in order to trace changes in women's lives in Korea. Specifically, the survey was designed to cover women's economic activities, family relationships and structures, and everyday lives. The KLoWF aims to provide a comprehensive database both for academic researches and policy analyses related to gender issues. The first wave data was gathered in 2007, interviewing 9,068 households and 9,997 individuals. The second wave data gathering was commenced in the October of 2008, being successfully concluded in June, 2009. In the third wave, among 9,068 original households 7,209 households have been successfully interviewed with the retention rate amounting to 80.1%(17 households were excluded from the denominator since it was impossible to interview them by reasons of death, immigration, etc.). Of the 9,997 original household members, 77.8%(7,780 members) have responded to the survey. The major research results of the KLoWF fourth wave(2012) are as following.

First, the research implemented analyzing the changes of family, individual and job within each first, second and third wave data. After implementing longitudinal cleaning of first, second and third wave data, the first wave data has been set as a standard to analyze the differences in the second and third wave data. After conducting an in-depth analysis of women's health, implemented data error analysis and respondent's non-response data analysis, then verified the quality of KLoWF data.

Second, the research implemented main survey of the fourth wave. The fourth wave's main survey was conducted to 9,680 original households and 230 separate households and it was conducted by adding women's health questionnaires to existing questionnaires. In order to implement the main survey, the CAPI Program, "Blaise" license was renewed. The survey was conducted and enhanced by using more systematic approach than the existing logic.

Third, there has been some establishments to promote International and domestic user's convenience within 2012's research. The KLoWF's English website was established to provide our guidelines and questionnaires in English which made it possible for foreign researchers to access easily. In order to facilitate the use of KLoWF, the variables of first, second and third wave data was unified and provided the 'work history' and 'fertility history' data which was established since second wave. With publication of KLoWF Brief and holding of Panel Forum has encouraged the usage of KLoWF.

Fourth, the third wave data of KLoWF was opened to public and KWDI is hosting the third KLoWF conference. For this year's conference, researchers and professors of related fields as well as Graduate school students were encouraged to participate in the event.

Fifth, KWDI and RCGHA(Research Centre for Gender, Health and Aging which is the main institute of ALSWH) of Newcastle University in Australia has signed the MOU. KWDI has been in contact with RCGHA since 2010 and for academic exchange of panel survey, the two institute has signed the MOU in November 2012.

The KLoWF figure out the increase of women's economic activity and its outcomes such as the harmonization of work-family and the work-family transitions status. By these findings, it is feasible to empirically investigate the world of women's lives and allows to forecast the present and the future of our society and family. As low fertility, aging, child-care, compatibility of work-family, family-friendly social environment are the major issues of our society, the results of KLoWF will be used as core basic resource to establish comprehensive women and family policy. It will also promote the harmonization of enjoying the right of being a parent as well as being a worker to the members of our society.