The Equal Employment Opportunity Law for Men and Women, which took effect in 1986, calls for equal opportunity for men and women in employment. It prohibits companies from dismissing women for taking maternity leave. Initially, companies were required to make efforts to realize gender equality in employment. However, later revisions prohibited gender discrimination in employment, placement and promotion, and required employers to consider ways to prevent sexual harassment. In 1992, the Childcare Leave Law took effect and many women began to take childcare leave. Although both father and mother are permitted to take childcare leave by law, in reality, many companies permit childcare leave only to women. In 1999, the Basic Law for Gender-Equal Society was passed. This Law asserts that the realization of a society in which “men and women respect the other's human rights and share their responsibilities, and every citizen is able to fully exercise their individuality and abilities regardless of gender” is “a top-priority task.” Click DOCUMENT to see the preamble of the Basic Law for Gender-Equal Society.