Womenlink

Womenlink, officially known in Korean as 한국여성민우회 (Korean Women's Association United), is a prominent South Korean women's movement organization founded on September 12, 1987, shortly after the June Democratic Struggle. It was established by over 200 housewives and women workers who sought to organize themselves to claim their rights as women, workers, and citizens. The organization's stated mission is to develop women's capacities, protect their rights and interests, improve their social status, and contribute to a democratic society through social participation and women's welfare. Womenlink operates across a wide range of issues, including labor rights and economic empowerment for women, environmental activism, media criticism and media education, family and sexual violence counseling, and consumer cooperative movements. It runs a consumer cooperative, vocational training programs, and media monitoring initiatives. The organization also engages in international exchange with groups such as Japan's Seikatsu Club Consumers' Cooperative Union and Taiwan's Homemakers United Foundation. Its first president was Han Myeong-sook, who later served as Prime Minister of South Korea under President Roh Moo-hyun. Womenlink is a member of the Korean Women's Association United and collaborates with other women's organizations in South Korea. The organization remains active, with its website serving as a hub for its campaigns and history.

Womenlink was founded on September 12, 1987, in the wake of the June Democratic Struggle in South Korea. It was established by over 200 housewives and women workers who aimed to create a mass women's organization where women could discover and practice their rights in the family, workplace, and society. The organization positioned itself as a grassroots movement for women workers and housewives, addressing a wide range of social issues. In its early years, Womenlink focused on women's labor rights, including improving labor laws and institutions, combating employment discrimination, and supporting unemployed women. It also established a women's start-up support center to encourage female entrepreneurship. During the 1990s, the organization expanded its activities to include environmental activism, media criticism, and family and sexual violence counseling. It developed programs for media education and viewer advocacy, and it ran counseling services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, including training for counselors and perpetrator programs. Womenlink also pioneered consumer cooperative movements in South Korea, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles. It created economic alternatives and worked to stabilize the acquisition of daily necessities. The organization engaged in information technology education for women and developed databases to counter cyber sexual violence. Internationally, Womenlink has maintained regular exchanges with Japan's Seikatsu Club Consumers' Cooperative Union and Taiwan's Homemakers United Foundation, conducting seminars, symposia, and study tours. Its first president, Han Myeong-sook, later became Prime Minister of South Korea (2006–2007) under President Roh Moo-hyun. Womenlink continues to operate as a key women's organization in South Korea, collaborating with the Korean Women's Association United and other groups.

• 2000

  Continued consumer cooperative and women's empowerment programs.

• 1990

  Expanded activities to include environmental and media activism.

• 1987

  Founded on September 12 by over 200 housewives and women workers.

• 1987

  Han Myeong-sook becomes first president.

A grassroots women's movement organization advocating for gender equality, sustainable living, and democratic participation in South Korea.

1. 1한국여성민우회womenlink.or.kr
2. 2한국여성민우회 history 2020-2029womenlink.or.kr
3. 3한국여성민우회 history 1987-1989womenlink.or.kr
4. 4한국여성민우회 history 1990-1999womenlink.or.kr
5. 5Womenlink - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6韓国女性民友会 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org