MIRYANG — Miryang has made the list of women-friendly cities on its third attempt, while Yangsan, the first city in South Gyeongsang Province to win the designation back in 2011, kept its status.
South Gyeongsang Province said on the 23rd that Miryang was newly designated and Yangsan redesignated under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's 2026 review of women-friendly cities. A total of 30 cities, counties and districts nationwide were designated in this round. The program evaluates localities against five goals, including the foundation for advancing gender equality, wider economic and social participation, community safety and the creation of a caregiving environment.
Miryang was assessed on policies tailored to its character as a mixed urban-rural city in an area facing population decline. After enacting a related ordinance in 2023, the city assigned dedicated staff and built gender-disaggregated statistics to strengthen its administrative base. It also expanded public-private projects, including a certification program for women-friendly businesses, the Haetsal Women-Friendly Safe Village, a tailored care system called Mil Care and a hub space named Ieum Maru.
Yangsan was redesignated this year after earlier renewals in 2016 and 2021, a record the province said reflects policy continuity. The city has focused on narrowing gaps in childcare, safety and jobs between its new town and older urban core through support for work-life balance among young women, the Yangsan 365 Safe Park Ieum project, ON Sesang care centers and women's hub spaces in each district.
The latest designations bring the number of women-friendly cities in the province to eight. The province has supported local governments in developing specialized projects through project funding, expert consulting and training for citizen participation groups.
"Miryang's new designation and Yangsan's redesignation are the result of gender equality policies that reflect local characteristics and residents' policy needs winning strong marks," said Kang Sook-i, head of the province's women and family division. "We will build a South Gyeongsang Province where all residents, including women, families and children, are safe and happy."