This study aims to seek ways to enhance the effectiveness of gender impact analysis
and assessment (GIAA) and gender budgeting (GB) - the primary tools of gender
mainstreaming (GM) - in order to promote gender equality. GM is the strategy of
incorporating a gender-sensitive perspective into general policies and shifting genderneutral
policies towards gender equality. However, as gender-unequal practices and
perceptions have a well-established history, it has been difficult to draw a social
consensus as to what gender inequality is and which policies would actually represent
gender equality. In the Republic of Korea, the Basic Plans for Women’s Policy have
been operated every five years as state-led initiatives to challenge the unequal practices,
perceptions and attitudes faced by women. Further policies based upon the first Basic Plan
for Gender Equal Policy are also in operation. Furthermore, instruments indicating the
degree of women’s participation in eight areas - including the economy, health, welfare,
and the family - have been designed in order to measure levels of gender inequality.
As key tools for GM, GIAA and GB target the acheivement of gender equality in
national policies. In addition, the Basic Plan for Gender Equal Policy and the National
Gender Equality Index have recently been established as tools for resolving gender
inequalities through national policy action. All four of these tools aim to steer national
policies operating across a wide range of areas towards gender equality, and all four can
be regarded as institutions of GM.
This study’s first priority is to examine the ways in which an interlinkage can be
established between the National Gender Equality Index, which uses gender statistics
to measure disparities between men and women in different areas of life, and the Basic
Plan for Gender Equality Policy, which lists the goals, vision, and tasks for the state in
pursuing a gender-equal society. In addition, emphasis is placed on state accountability,
with polices for major public bodies suggested that include gender equality goals based on
GM institutions but subject to pilot analysis. This study will contribute to enhancing the
effectiveness of GM institutions in the medium and long term.