귀농ㆍ귀촌여성의 농촌 정착 및 사회참여 지원 방안

Policies for Supporting the Settlements and Social Activities of Women Turning to Farming and Rural Areas

Ⅰ. 연구의 필요성 및 목적 현재 농촌은 농가인구의 감소, 인구구조 고령화, 여성결혼이민자 증가, 귀농ㆍ귀촌인구 증가 등 인구구조 변화와 산업구조 변화로 큰 변화를 맞고 있다. 농촌인구 구성의 다양화, 산업구조의 다변화 등이 진행됨에 따라, 변화하는 농촌 지역사회의 개발, 농업생산과 농외소득 창출 등에 있어 여성의 역할과 기여에 대한 기대가 더욱 커지고 있다. 새로운 여성인적자원의 농촌 유입은 농촌사회 활력화에 기여할 가능성이 크다. 특히, 향후 베이비붐세대의 은퇴와 함께 귀농ㆍ귀촌여성의 급격한 증가가 예상되는 가운데, 우수한 인적자본을 갖춘 귀농ㆍ귀촌여성들의 농촌사회 참여가 활성화될 가능성이 클 것으로 예상된다. 최근 귀농ㆍ귀촌자에 대한 사회적, 정책적 관심이 매우 커지고 있으나, 거의 남성에 대한 관심이 주를 이루고 여성에 대한 관심은 매우 취약하다. 귀농ㆍ귀촌여성에 대한 통계나 현황조차 파악되어 있지 않고 특화된 정책도 매우 미흡하다. 귀농ㆍ귀촌여성들의 농촌사회 적응이나 사회참여 현황과 문제, 지원 방안에 대한 연구가 필요한 시점이다. 따라서 본 연구는 농촌여성 가운데 귀농ㆍ귀촌여성의 농촌 적응 및 사회참여를 지원하기 위해 실태를 분석하고 정책적 지원방안을 모색해보고자 한다.

At present, the expectations of women's role in farming villages have heightened in terms of the development of rural communities, agricultural production, and the creation of nonfarm income, due to diversification in industrial structure and the composition of the rural population. The influx of new female resources into rural areas is highly likely to activate rural communities. However, the social and policy interest in those turning to farming and rural areas has focused on males, failing to pay enough attention to females. The status of and statistics on women turning to farming and rural areas have yet to be identified and prepared, respectively, incurring the lack of specialized policies for women. Now there is a need to conduct research on their adaptation to a rural society, their social and economic participation, and necessary support plans. This paper is designed to analyze difficulties in social adaptation and participation facing such women and their policy needs by assessing the status of those turning to farming and rural areas by gender and conducting interviews with them. The government has executed research on the status of families turning to farming and rural areas but has yet to clearly understand the status by gender. The proportion of women participating in government- sponsored programs for prospective farmers is estimated to be very low. Women are experiencing culture shock in the process of migrating from urban to rural areas, as well as conflicts attributed to a male-dominated culture, differences in community culture, and generation gaps among women. The differences between urban and rural women in authority, position and living environment have led them to undergo serious difficulties in adaptation. Women have decided to move to farming and rural villages due to diverse reasons such as the intention of their spouses, skepticism about their urban work, educational environment for their children, family happiness, quality of life, their interest in nature etc. They have taken part in various initiatives in education not only as trainees but also trainers, also participate in and lead culture, economy and group activities. The training service provided before moving to rural areas is very important to such women. They have also searched for work required in rural villages, or jobs where their capabilities can be used, participating in life-long training programs and acquiring diverse certificates. In addition, they complained about conflicts with local residents, cultural differences, lack of information, poor transportation etc. In order to resolve such issues, a diversity of measures for women should be developed and included in the male-oriented comprehensive plan for those turning to farming and rural areas. It is necessary to prepare and implement policies such as counseling/information services, adaptation/capability reinforcement training, employment/business establishment support, family adaptation support, reinforcement in networking within the group, and the establishment of better relationships with local residents. Basically, policies for improving their authority/position and quality of life should be strengthened in order to help women successfully settle in rural communities.