Sookmyung Hosts International Forum for International Women’s Day with Ambassadors from Six Countries
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-03-13
Marking its 120th anniversary, Sookmyung Women’s University held the “2026 International Women’s Day Sookmyung International Forum” on March 11 at Snowflake Square Hall. The forum was organized under the theme “120 Years of Women’s Education: Global Solidarity for Equality and a Sustainable Future.”
Around 300 participants attended, including Moon Si-yeun, president of Sookmyung Women’s University; Cho Sun-hye, chair of the Sookmyung Cultural Foundation; Jung Soon-ok, former president of the alumni association and chair of Reyon Pharm; Moon Aeri, president of the Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology; and Lee Jun, chairman of the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation. Diplomatic representatives also attended, including ambassadors to Korea from Norway, New Zealand, Philippines, Rwanda, Slovenia, and Uzbekistan, along with students and faculty members.
In her welcoming remarks, President Moon Si-yeun said, “Gender equality is a defining challenge of our time and a shared responsibility for all. Ultimately, progress can only be achieved through global solidarity.” She added that Sookmyung Women’s University will continue to strengthen its educational environment so that students can grow into global leaders who drive social change.
(from left) Dr. Kwang-Il Yoon Dean, College of Social Sciences, H.E. Anne Kari Hansen Ovind Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Alisher Abdusalomov Ambassador of Uzbekistan
The panel discussion was moderated by Yoon Kwang-il, dean of the College of Social Sciences and professor of political science and international relations at Sookmyung Women’s University. Panelists included ambassadors from the six countries as well as Cho Sung-nam, emeritus professor at Ewha Womans University, and Han Sae-rom, professor in the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations at Sookmyung Women’s University. Discussions focused on sustainability, global solidarity, and the role of universities.
Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, ambassador of Norway, explained, “Sustainability means meeting the needs of today without undermining the needs of future generations.”
She noted that Norway has expanded women’s participation in the labor market within the framework of a welfare state and has institutionalized women’s participation in corporate decision-making by introducing gender quotas on the boards of listed companies.
Alisher Abdusalomov, ambassador of Uzbekistan, said that although many women in Uzbekistan traditionally married, had children, and remained at home, the country is now actively encouraging women to enter society and develop professional expertise. “The president of Uzbekistan is even called a ‘gender champion’ for strongly leading gender equality strategies and implementing concrete policies,” he said.
Dawn Bennet, ambassador of New Zealand, emphasized that sustainability strategies must be built on diversity. “Diversity leads to strong democracy and effective policymaking,” she said, noting that New Zealand has achieved a high level of gender equality in the public sector through flexible approaches such as policy design and goal-setting rather than mandatory quotas, which have also influenced the private sector.
(from left) H.E. Dawn Bennet Ambassador of New Zealand, Dr. Saerom Han Professor of Sookmyung Women's University, Dr. Sung-Nam Cho Professor Emeritus of Ewha Womans University
Korean panelists Han Sae-rom and Cho Sung-nam pointed out structural gender-equality issues in Korean society and emphasized the role of universities in cultivating women leaders.
Prof. Han Sae-rom noted that South Korea faces structural challenges such as the largest gender wage gap among OECD countries and the underrepresentation of women in senior positions. “Sustainability and the expansion of women’s leadership are deeply interconnected,” she said. “Women’s universities such as Sookmyung can play an important role in helping female students build confidence in their abilities.”
Emeritus professor Cho Sung-nam added, “If universities only educate women within the existing system, gender gaps in areas such as the economy and politics will continue to be reproduced.” She emphasized that in an era of increasing uncertainty driven by technological changes such as Artificial Intelligence, universities must work harder to help women grow into leaders who can transform systems.
(from left) H.E. Jernej Müller Ambassador of Slovenia, H.E. Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez Ambassador of the Philippines
Jernej Müller, ambassador of Slovenia, said that since the inauguration of a female prime minister in 2023, Slovenia has declared a feminist foreign policy and adopted an official strategy integrating it into overall foreign policy. “We are advancing women’s rights together with budget and resource allocation and gender equality projects, and we believe gender-related data should be used to achieve better outcomes,” he said.
Nkulito Manzi Bakuramatsha, ambassador of Rwanda, stated that gender equality is a principle at the heart of national identity and inclusive, sustainable development.
“In Rwanda, we guarantee at least 30 percent female representation in all decision-making bodies, expand women’s economic empowerment, and have built institutional foundations to realize gender equality in everyday life,” she said.
Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, also attended the forum and delivered a message supporting continued efforts toward gender equality. An alumna of the piano department at Sookmyung Women’s University, she said, “I will do my best so that the Republic of Korea can move forward as a truly substantive gender-equal society.”