여성정책을 위한 기초적 검토 = A Note toward a Feminist Policy

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The aim of this article is to examine the concepts of "women's policy" which have been circulated in the 1980s, and to suggest some basic elements coherent with the concept. In this conceptual examination, we confront with the fact that the diversities and commonalities of individuals and subgroups of women can pose a problem in regarding women as a single category. Unless we have certain agreement on how to view women as one category, the concept of "women's policy" cannot but be a confused one.
In section one, the current concepts are critically examined and a new concept is proposed. "Women's policy" has so far been understood as: 1) policy, of which objects are women, or 2) women-related policies. In the case of the former, the problem lies with the question of what the basis of the assertion of universality of women is. In the case of the latter, the task is how to establish criteria measuring the influence on women since all policies have direct and indirect influences on all members of society whether intended or not intended. These problems of current concepts point to the fact that some common understanding of women as a group is necessary. By the same vein, we can argue that, since "women's policy" is not limited to women only but related to the social structure on the whole, in terms of the scope and the influence, the term paradoxically moves beyond its own boundary, women.
Social policy is based on the judgement that social problems and needs are nor in the area of individual responsibilities but in the state or the society, and thus social policy is an outcome of a collective choice to solve the problems and also is a plan of action to carry out the choice. Therefore, women's policy can be explained as a choice and a plan of action to solve women's issues which are not individual women's problems but social issues and problems of the state.
In section two, three presuppositions composing the basic understanding of women's policy are explained. Firstly, women's basic human rights as well as equal rights of women and men are to be ensured Equal rights ought to be both formal and substantial. Secondly, the existing law, institutions and political processes do not guarantee substantial equal rights. Furthermore, they can even invade women's basic human rights. Thirdly, the existing viewpoints that physiological sex differences justify the present system and order ought to be rejected and instead social methods embracing the differences and at the same time overcoming hierarchical values regarding the differences ought to be pursued.
In other words, women's policy has aims to realize alternative value Systems and criteria which disconnect sex differences and sexual hierarchies in the law, institutions and political processes, based on the belief of women's basic human rights and equal rights, and analyses of present systems.
In section three, the existing policies are critically examined based on the concept and prepositions discussed in the previous sections. The Five Year Economic Development Plans, Family Planning policies and other Welfare Policies are briefly examined with the focus on their treatment of women. The common feature is their asexual nature of the conception and their lack of awareness of gender discrimination. In the 1980s political parties present their own women's policies which in itself is a sign of change, although a proper evaluation will have to wait until concrete practice and research are carried out.
Finally, section four presents the tasks and problems related to devising women's policy. In order to realize absolute human rights and equal rights, it is crucial to take social and physiological differences between men and women. We have to bear in mind that 'who define the differences' is far more important than emphasis on 'the facts of differences.' In order that women can define their own differences, it is necessary to have organized power bases. Defining differences itself is an expression of their power and it implies a great potential of radical challenges against the existing order.
In sum, a better understanding of women's policy requires a consensus of women as a category which can digest the sameness and differences within the category. At the same time it requires an explanation on the sameness and differences in comparison with men as a category. In order that 'women's policy' can have legitimate reason for being, a fresh approach which can connect women's issues and social issues within a framework and this requires a fundamental restructuring of social, political and philosophical issues.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 1. 여성정책의 개념
• 2. 여성정책의 인식적 기반
• 3. 기존정책에서의 여성
• 4. 여성정책 입안의 과제와 문제
• 참고문헌
• 영문초록