South Korea's Initiative Encourages Urban Women to Pursue Rural Lives
Seoul, Sunday, 8 June 2025.
South Korea’s ‘Country Sister Project’ supports urban young women relocating to rural areas, aiming to boost economic growth and integrate female entrepreneurship in agricultural development.
Empowering Women through Innovative Rural Programs
The collaboration between South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has given birth to the ‘Country Sister Project’. This initiative encourages urban young women, aged 19 to 39, to engage with rural communities by providing opportunities to learn and potentially settle in these areas with the help of female mentors known as ‘Country Sisters’. Since its inception in 2022, the project has seen varying degrees of success, with the number of participating institutions increasing annually. This year, six key regions are involved: Ganghwa, Wonju, Gimje, Sangju, Cheongdo, and Geochang. The project not only focuses on agricultural training but also encompasses fields like marketing, rural tourism, culture, and design [1][2].
Economic and Social Integration
This project is pivotal in the strategy to revitalize rural areas by tapping into female entrepreneurship. Participants can explore diverse agricultural and market opportunities, acquiring skills directly applicable to rural economies. The integration of women in these communities is further supported by the collaboration with the Women’s New Work Center, which provides employment counseling and career development services. The initiative underscores the potential for women to contribute significantly to rural innovation and economic sustainability through entrepreneurship and by embracing roles traditionally dominated by men [1][3].
Challenges and Future Prospects
However, despite the positive outlook, challenges persist. The connection between learning experiences and long-term settlement or entrepreneurship in these rural areas remains a work in progress. To enhance the program’s impact, efforts are underway to strengthen ties between training and actual employment or business creation opportunities within these communities. The Ministries aim to address these gaps by enhancing mentorship programs and ensuring that connections made through the ‘Country Sister Project’ translate into sustainable rural living for participants [1][4].
Looking Ahead
As the initiative gains traction, the government remains committed to expanding the program’s scope and reach. By fostering an environment conducive to long-term settlement and entrepreneurship, the project hopes to establish a new paradigm in rural development strategies. By empowering women, South Korea aims to inject new vitality into its rural landscapes, highlighting the potential of women as catalysts for change and sustainability in agriculture and beyond [1][5].