<h1>Women’s Power and Strategies in the Social Economy</h1>

The day I decided to take a career break, I received these flowers as a gift — a gesture to say, “You’ve worked so hard.” This photo shows the flowers I was given that day.(Photo by Milly) 

 One of the biggest barriers women face when participating in Korean society is the career break.

According to recent data from Statistics Korea, about 15.9% of married women aged 15 to 54 have experienced a career interruption, and 41.2% of them have been out of the workforce for over ten years.

The most common reason for career interruption is childcare, accounting for 41.1% of all cases.

 

These figures show that career breaks are not simply short pauses but often structural and long-term barriers to reemployment. Many women who have experienced such interruptions inevitably ask themselves:  “Can I ever continue my career again?”

 

Why We Should Pay Attention to the Social Economy

One potential answer to this challenge lies in the social economy.

As discussed in my previous posts, the social economy refers to organizations that create social value beyond profit — cooperatives, social enterprises, and community-based businesses.

 

From this perspective, the social economy aligns well with women’s experiences and needs.

Women’s prior experience in areas like care, education, and community engagement can directly contribute to social value creation. Moreover, the social economy tends to offer flexible working arrangements and purpose-driven jobs, which appeal to women returning to the workforce.

 

Research supports this connection.

Studies show that women account for 65–70% of the workforce in social economy organizations. Another survey found that women make up 64.6% of employees in certified social enterprises in Korea.

 

In other words, women have greater opportunities in the social economy sector.

It provides pathways to reenter the labor market through socially meaningful work and offers a more flexible and community-oriented career model compared to traditional corporations.

 

How Women Can Rebuild Their Careers Through the Social Economy

 

1. Reevaluate your past experiences.

Your professional background before a career break — and even the experiences gained during that break — can be valuable assets.

Activities such as caregiving, community organizing, or educational involvement can be reframed as skills in social value creation.

Rather than viewing these years as a “gap,” women can position them as strengths that contribute to the social economy.

 

2. Understand the industries and organizations within the social economy.

Sectors such as childcare, education, and after-school programs are often considered promising areas for women.

These industries have a high rate of female participation and relatively low entry barriers for women reentering the workforce.

 

3. Build your skills and networks.

Returning directly to a full-time organization after a long break can be challenging.

It’s helpful to gradually build relevant skills and connections through participation in local social economy support centers, Women’s Reemployment Centers, volunteer programs, or training courses.

These experiences can help women regain confidence and familiarity with the social economy ecosystem.

 

4. Approach the social economy as a long-term career design.

Instead of thinking, “I’ll just work temporarily,” consider building a sustainable career pathway.

Identify areas where you can participate and grow over time, while developing leadership and expertise.

In this sense, working in the social economy can become more than just a job — it can be a foundation for a second life stage and personal reinvention.

 

Conclusion

 

Women’s reentry into economic and social activities after a career break is not only a matter of personal growth, but also a crucial step for society as a whole.

According to the OECD, Korea’s female employment rate and labor force participation remain among the lowest among member countries — a situation largely driven by persistent career breaks.

 

In this context, the social economy serves as a “field of possibility” for women seeking career renewal.

Of course, not every social economy job guarantees stability or fair conditions. It remains essential to assess whether these roles offer sustainable career development, adequate wages, and growth potential.

Yet, in terms of meaningful work, flexible environments, and the pursuit of social value, the social economy presents a compelling alternative to conventional employment.

 

In the social economy, the experiences and skills women already possess can become their greatest strengths.

A career break is not the end of a career — it can be the turning point toward something more meaningful.

 

Personally, I’m also taking a pause in my career, but my affection for the social economy remains strong. I look forward to the day I can return to this field — transforming my experiences into actions that create social value.