WUNRN
PERMANENT MISSION OF JAPAN TO THE
UNITED NATIONS
STATEMENT BY DR. YORIKO MEGURO
REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN
AT THE 53rd SESSION OF THE
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
Excerpt:
WIth a view to realizing a
gender-equal society, in Japan, the Cabinet approved the Basic Plan for Gender
Equality based on the Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society and the government
promotes relevant measures in a comprehensive and systemic manner.....
Unfortunately, however, unequal
gender division of responsibilities continues to exist. In Japan, data shows
that women spend 7 times longer time than men per day for domestic work,
although the difference is on the decrease. Also, with regard to caregiving to
the family members, roughly 80% is on women's shoulders in terms of total hours
spent. Equal sharing of responsibilities is also essential in coping with the
problem of declining fertility and aging of our society.....
The government in partnership with
the private sector, is going to work on such undertakings as putting a curb on
long working hours and improving child and family care leave system, so that
both women and men can find their choice of balancing various activities such
as work, family life and community activities.....
Japan is no exception in terms of
deteriorating economic situation stemming from last year's financial crisis.
Dismissal of non-regular workers and the increasing unemployment rate are
becoming social problems. However, we need to recall that, even before the
financial crisis, more than half of female workers were non-regular workers who
were facing low wages and insecure work conditions. Various negative impacts of
the financial crisis could impose heavier burdens on women than men, and a
gender perspective is vital in getting out of the crisis as well as restoring
the society....
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