National Women's Association in Japan Issues Handbook to Support Young Women's Independence

Copyright Yokohama Women's Association for Communication and Networking

The National Council of Women's Centers in December 2012 issued a handbook titled "Self-Support Guide for Young Women" to support the social participation and employment of young women.

The results of a survey of women aged 15 to 35 years conducted in 2008 by Yokohama Women's Association for Communication and Networking, an organization that wrote the handbook, showed that the majority of young women without a stable job were experiencing continual difficulty in daily life, such as bullying or conflicts with peers at work or school, eating disorders, and sexual harassment. The results reveal that these women cannot make future plans, such as to get married or land a stable job, because they are stuck in an endless cycle of temporary employment and unemployment.

Meanwhile, 70% of the users of self-directed employment services for young people are male, the minority being women. It also became evident that since unemployed women are often regarded as "domestic helpers," their problems remain hidden. Thus, there is a limited amount of social resources available for young single women who are facing difficulties at work or home.

Given these factors, since 2009 the council has assisted young single women in gaining independence through various educational courses, the results of which were compiled in the present handbook. By cooperating with organizations engaged in medical, mental health, education, employment, and community activities, the council hopes to extend more opportunities to women with difficulties to help them connect with people and gain volunteer and work experience.