KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

This study investigated changing status of the poor since we faced two times of economic crisis in Korea, based on a gender perspective. After every economic status, life quality of the poor has been getting worse in terms of family/culture, labor, welfare. and health fields. Using a variety of welfare policies including Human New Deal Policy, our government has made every efforts in supporting the poor. But the policies turned out to be inefficient and ineffective due to a lack of gender perspective. To improve the policies, this study was conducted. Firstly, this study explained theoretical backgrounds why gender-based integrated models covering family/culture, labor, welfare, and health fields were needed. Secondly, this study analyzed the status of the poor for men and women in terms of family/culture, labor, welfare, and health fields, capitalizing panel surveys and other cross-sectional data as well as in-depth interviews on females suffering hard times after economic crisis. Thirdly, this study researched women's poverty and social safety net in foreign countries such as the USA and Japan. This study analyzed female and children's poverty, particularly under female headed households in the USA. Also, this study introduced a new policy made in Japan called 'the Second Social Safety Net' for the poor. Finally, this study suggested gender-based multilateral and integrated policies, based on the results of family/culture, labor, welfare, health studies.