President Moon Jae-in on March 8 recalled his administration's policy toward women to mark International Women's Day, saying he hopes for further progress in gender equality under his successor.
On his social media, he said the "courageous voices" of female workers who shouted for human rights 114 years ago continue to this day, thanking everyone who practiced solidarity and cooperation for an equal society.
When the nation becomes a more gender-equal society, both men and women can face a sustainable tomorrow, he said, adding that "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow" is this year's theme of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, or UN Women.
On his administration's policy toward gender equality, the president said he set up a stronger response system for gender-based violence by revamping the law on preventing interruptions to women's careers, enacting an anti-stalking law and strengthening punishment for digital sex crimes.
The government will do its best to prevent COVID-19 from worsening the child care burden on women and protect their jobs, he added, stressing that balancing work and family is the goal of both men and women.
Though the government has made major progress, the country has many shortcomings in gender equality, the chief executive said, with structures and cultures hampering gender equality lingering everywhere.
He added that he hopes that the next administration will continue efforts to improve gender equality, stressing that men can be happy only when women are.
Introducing the grand prize winner of a gender equality contest last year, President Moon concluded his writing by saying that when people understand and respect each other's lives, the world will become a place where everyone is respected.
He added that he hopes for the day when he can "listen to the voices of people he loves by his side."
