The following is the gist of the bill on promotion of gender equality in the political sector:

Purpose

The purpose of this law is to lay down the basic principles for the promotion of gender equality in the political sector and to clarify the national and local governments’ responsibilities in this regard. It aims to promote gender equality effectively and positively in order to contribute to the development of democratic politics through its basic provisions on the implementation of this policy.

Basic principles

Freedom in the selection of candidates by political parties and other groups, freedom to run as a candidate, and freedom to engage in other political activities shall be guaranteed in the elections for the House of Representatives, the House of Councillors, and the local assemblies with the goal of achieving an equal number of male and female candidates as much as possible.

Both men and women, regardless of their sex, shall strive to maintain a smooth and sustainable balance between their activities as elected officials and family life through mutual cooperation and support from society.

National and local governments’ responsibilities

The national and local governments shall develop and implement the necessary policies to promote gender equality in the political sector while ensuring freedom of activities by the political parties and other groups and fairness of elections based on the basic principles for the promotion of gender equality.

Development of human resources

The national and local governments shall strive to formulate policies for the development and utilization of human resources in order to promote gender equality in the political sector.

Legislative measures

The national government shall take necessary legislative or fiscal measures for the promotion of gender equality in the political sector when such measures are deemed necessary based on field research and information collection.