Korean Women's Associations United

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Korean Women's Associations United (KWAU) is a group that brings together 33 women’s organizations in South Korea. Formed in 1987, it focuses on women’s issues, feminism, and coordinating the activities of its member groups.

History in brief
- 1987: KWAU was founded in February by left-wing feminists after sexual assault cases against the government. Members came from diverse backgrounds, including blue-collar workers, clerical workers, professionals, housewives, students, and rural women. The group connected with the broader minjung (people’s) movement.
- Early goals: The coalition pushed for gender equality, better maternity protections, equal pay for equal work, and an end to violence against women. It opposed the military government of Chun Doo-hwan and worked to broaden women’s rights.
- 1992–1993: KWAU set up a Special Committee to push for a sexual violence protection law. It led broad campaigns to reduce sexual violence and urged presidential candidates to include protections in their platforms. The group also lobbied for changes to laws on women’s employment and care for children.
- Mid-1990s: The movement shifted toward a “women’s perspective” on society, boosting welfare programs for women and female workers, and promoting cooperation among women’s organizations. By 1995, women’s participation in politics grew significantly, and KWAU gained legal status from the government.
- 2002 and beyond: With President Roh Moo-hyun, there was new momentum for gender equality and ending the traditional family-head system. Civil society gained influence, and KWAU members started taking government roles. Chi Eun-hee, then president of KWAU, became Minister of Gender Equality, and Han Myeong-sook, a former KWAU president, became Minister of the Environment.

Impact
- KWAU helped coordinate activities of many women’s groups and supported their leadership and funding needs.
- It played a key role in advancing maternity leave, childcare, and equal pay policies.
- The organization led important campaigns against sexual violence and pushed for new protective laws.
- It contributed to greater women’s representation in politics and to broader social changes toward gender equality in South Korea.

See also
- Gender inequality in South Korea
- Women in South Korea

External link
- Official site: www.women21.or.kr (in Korean)