男女共同參畫社會基本法

1、Legislating for HarmonyLimitations and Implications of the Basic Law for a Gender Equal Society in Japan男女共同參畫社會基本法Laura Dales, School of International StudiesLaura.D.au男女共同參畫社會基本法The Basic Law for a Gender Equal Society, June 1999Preamblen to respond to the rapid changes occurring in J

2、apans socioeconomic situation, such as the trend toward fewer children, the aging of the population, and the maturation of domestic economic activities, it has become a matter of urgent importance to realize a gender-equal society in which men and women respect the others human rights and share thei

3、r responsibilities, and every citizen is able to fully exercise their individuality and abilities regardless of gendernThis law is hereby established in order to clarify the basic principles with regard to formation of a gender-equal society, to set a course to this end, and to promote efforts by th

4、e State and local governments and citizens with regard to formation of a gender-equal society comprehensively and systematically.Gender Equality Bureau http:/www.gender.go.jp/english_contents/index.html Recent history in gender policy & legislationn1985Equal Employment Opportunity Actn1992 Gover

5、nment Economic Plan “Five-Year Greater National Lifestyle Plan: Aiming for a Coexistent Global Society” advocates prioritisation of lifestyle over economic growth.n1994 The Headquarters for the Promotion of Gender-Equality, headed by the Prime Minister, is set up within the Cabinet. n1996The Council

6、 for Considering a Gender-Equal Society submits “Vision of Gender-Equality: The Creation of New Values for the 21st Century” n1999 Basic Law for the Creation of a Gender-Equal Society launched. n2001 Council for Gender-Equality and Gender-Equality Bureau established within Cabinet Office, headed by

7、the Prime Minister.“Pillars” of a Gender-Equal Society1. Respect for the human rights of men and women;2. Consideration for (avoiding rigid) social customs and systems;3. Collaborative participation in social policy, planning and decision-making;4. The compatibility/ co-existence of domestic activit

8、ies and other activities (namely work, study and local community activities);5. International co-operation and support, from other countries and international organisations. http:/www.gender.go.jp/Feminist critique nHnoki: Laws failure to address the role of the business sector in promoting gender e

9、quality (2002:187). nEhara (2000): Law was largely born of government concern over low marriage and birth rates, and has been handed down accordingly. nMuta (2003): Absence of the grounding values of gender equality in family and schooling limits Laws efficacy.qLaw as heteronormative and heterosexis

10、t- “human rights” flowing from or elucidated by male/female relationships are particularly privileged.qA strategy to promote marriage and child-bearing, as an answer to social and economic changes caused by the ageing, low-birth rate population.nLaw as an advisory tool only: Lack of penalties for violation limits substantive effect.ConclusionnContextualised: Addressing the ageing, low birth-rate societynHeteronormative, heterosexist and focused on the reproductive family but nonetheless an advance on governmenta