In August, Dr. Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Chief of the Seoul Representative Office had an interview with Women News in South Korea. In the interview, Dr. Asa Torkelsson discussed various issues about Human rights, Gender Based Violence, and the Trend of low fertility, around the World and in South Korea. Following is the article.

[interview] "I am concerned about regression of Gender equality in the Republic of Korea, But I would not give up hope"... Dr. Asa Torkelsson, Chief of UNFPA Seoul Representation Office

https://www.womennews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=251001

Dr. Asa Torkelsson, Chief of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Seoul Representational office, interviewed with Women's Newspaper. ⓒPhotographer Eunji Song

Dr. Asa Torkelsson, who has 25 years of experience working in international organizations, was appointed as the new Chief of the UNFPA Seoul Representation Office(SRO) in May this year.

Dr. Torkelsson holds a doctorate in sociology from Stockholm University, Sweden, and has served as a Gender Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank, and as an Economic Empowerment Advisor at UN Women. Before being appointed to the UNFPA Seoul Representational Office, she served as the representative of the UNFPA in Bangladesh and Malaysia offices, and country director for Thailand. 

Dr. Torkelsson recently met with Women's News and expressed his expectations about Korea's role in the international community, which has moved from being an aid recipient to a donor country.

Women's rights have improved over the past hundreds of years, but today, concerns are being raised all over the world about threats to women's human rights. In the Gaza Strip, Palestine, pregnant women are not receiving the medical support they need as the medical system has collapsed due to war. UNFPA reported that immediately after the outbreak of war last year, there were 50,000 pregnant women living in the Gaza Strip, but they were not receiving necessary medical services due to the war.

Concerns are being raised that women's rights are being regressed around the world, with various crimes against women, including also in digital spaces worldwide, including in Korea. However, Dr. Torkelsson still did not give up hope. She said, “A lot of progress has been made (in relation to women’s rights),” and “I maintain a hopeful perspective.”

She also gave advice to young women dreaming of featuring on the international stage. Dr. Torkelsson, who started her career as an intern in an international organization, said, "Follow your dreams. There are many different ways to achieve your dreams." She said, “The United Nations will also welcome Koreans who want to work for the world,” and referred to the data posted on the ‘International Organization Recruitment Center’ of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://unrecruit.mofa.go.kr/) to actively encourage international organizations. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is helping Korean nationals advance into international organizations by dispatching Korean nationals through International Organization Junior Experts (JPOs) and United Nations Volunteers (UNVs).

Although she is an expert who has worked in international organizations for 25 years, she must have experienced many difficulties as a woman and in the process of balancing family and work. “[Shortly after] I got my first job at the United Nations, I became pregnant. I wasn’t sure [if this was possible], so I wanted to find a female role model,” said Dr. Torkelsson, head of the office. “It wasn’t easy to find role models, but a few of them gave me the courage that I could do it, even though it was difficult.” 

She continued, "At that time, there was a lack of systems such as [sufficient] maternity leave. When I started working, the situation was very different from today," and added, "But the difficult experience ultimately made me a stronger and more resilient person."

The following is a Q&A with Asa Torkelsson, head of the UNFPA Seoul office.

- You were appointed to the Seoul office in May of this year. 

"I am very honored to be appointed to the UNFPA Seoul office. The Seoul office is focused on maintaining a friendly relationship between UNFPA and Korea. UNFPA is a sexual and reproductive health organization under the United Nations that handles all issues related to maternal health and reproductive rights. The Seoul office also focuses on population issues, such as ageing, which are important issues in Korea and has many great ideas to share with the world. Also, the RoK has been an avid supporter of UNFPA's work for decades. It's work."

- What is the work carried out by UNFPA and the goals of the Seoul office?

“UNFPA is a United Nations agency focused on the reproductive health agenda and has several specific goals: firstly, to ensure reproductive rights to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and secondly, to ensure that all births are safe. Around the world, approximately 800 women die during childbirth, and UNFPA is working to ensure safe childbirth and prevent preventable maternal deaths.  In addition, there are still many teenage marriages taking place around the world today. We are helping girls and young women understand reproductive rights and working to strengthen their capabilities.”

- How do you evaluate the human rights situation of women around the world?

"An analysis has been made that it will take 132 years to achieve gender equality at the current pace. This means that farming on the moon may take place faster than achieving gender equality. At this moment, there are many different trends (in Women's Human Rights)… while some countries have seen significant regression in gender equality, other countries are progressing in a progressive direction. The many things that threaten peace around the world are deeply concerning, but personally, I maintain a hopeful perspective and look forward to the future.

Currently, the Korean government provides humanitarian assistance to the international community, especially conflict-prone countries. For example, UNFPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) worth $32.7 million with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)(https://www.koica.go.kr) last March, providing aid to six countries facing humanitarian crises, including Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, Mali, and the Central African Republic. It will provide reproductive health and gender-based violence services. This would not have been accomplished if Korea had not stepped forward.”

- Korea’s birth rate is the lowest in the world. Although the government is implementing various policies to solve the low birth rate problem, there is also a lot of criticism that it perceives women as tools for childbirth. 

“It is a very complex issue. I also recently read an article about the women’s movement in Korea and men’s reactions to it. It is difficult to come up with one clear answer. 

However, [as example] UNFPA promoted the 'Reproductive Justice Movement', through which it recommended that private companies ensure reasonable working hours, maternity leave, and flexible work arrangements, etc. The movement also aims to create an environment in which individuals can maintain both work and family life without harming their careers. These aspects need to be considered together (to resolve low birth rates). We need new approaches, and we need to experiment to see what can help.

Speaking personally, I am a mother of three children. My children are older now, but I still vividly remember how difficult it was to raise them while building a career when I was younger. This would not have been possible without my cooperative husband. We worked together as a team to improve our family. My husband was a partner who had the same goal in mind and raised a family.

However, this (male) side is not often portrayed in the media. Paying attention to male role models (who share household chores) can also be one way. One way (to solve the low birth rate) could be to highlight men in the media who take care of their families and children and support their wives’ careers.”

- In [ Korea], gender-based violence has emerged as a serious problem. The United Nations also seriously recognizes ‘intimate partner violence’ (IPV). How do you think social violence should be dealt with? 

"It is a serious problem at the level of a pandemic. One of the biggest problems is the absence of statistical data [so we can devise adequate solutions]. Some get statistical data from the health system, others from the police, but the sensitivity of the case and the stigma (against victims) There are many cases that go unreported due to this. 

Some countries overlook the link between economic resources and violence. Women who do not have sufficient economic resources or are not employed are bound to be more dependent (on their partners) and vulnerable to violence. Even if they are dissatisfied with the relationship, they find it difficult. Therefore, the system for women's rights must be integrated to achieve not only health, healing, and mental and psychological support, but also the realization of economic rights."

- The practice of dismissing dating violence as a trivial problem that can occur between lovers is also problematic. 

"That's right. It's a very serious problem worldwide. It is said that about a third of women around the world experience gender violence. Although the data is not perfect, it is clear that the number is quite large. Moreover, new forms of violence have recently emerged [and] it can have a significant impact on the psychological and mental health and well-being of girls and young women.”

- Is there anything you expect from the Korean government? 

"I am very happy to see Korea's desire to provide solutions and provide financial support to create a better world on the international stage. This is definitely something to note and praise. Some countries are reluctant to provide financial support, but Korea continues to provide ambitious and generous support. This aspect of Korea will provide great inspiration to other countries.”

Meanwhile, the UNFPA Seoul Office (https://seoul.unfpa.org), which opened in 2019, is actively working to promote mutual cooperation by communicating closely with various government ministries and agencies to widely promote UNFPA's vision.

Reporter Kim Se-won saewkim@womennews.co.kr

For any inquiries, please contact UNFPA SRO: seoul.office@unfpa.org