Women in Myanmar (also known as Burma) are actively on the frontlines of violence, protests, and resistance movements against the government. Fighting for protection and a change in the current laws, Myanmar Women continue to face injustice. Progress is present in Myanmar society with these women holding elected positions in government and leading protests however, they are highly marginalized. The systematic discrimination against Myanmar women was a stepping stone into the safeguarding of their children, elected leadership roles, rights, and their character, not only as women but also as "able-women" of society. The term "able-women" conveys women who belong to the Myanmar country and are able to protect other individuals and have healthy bodies to be on the frontlines for battle.
Quick Facts General Statistics, Maternal mortality (per 100,000) ...
Superstitions have been tied to Myanmar women and their menstrual materials (period supplies) being directly linked to completely diminish the strength of the [spiritual energy] that troops had during battles. While in enemy territory, Myanmar women went against this superstition and were "threatened by tear gas and bullets[3]." These women actively placed used menstrual material in the protesting streets.
If troops moved below period products that have made contact with women's private parts then their spiritual energy will sap hpoun- a term that conveys the weakening or depletion of something or someone.
Despite Myanmar women's active participation in protests for chance in their society, they still faced verbal and physical violence. Troop members would relay messages to the protesters like, "Whore, when I find you, I'm going to rape you![4]." The exact number of women who have faced brutality and raped by troops is still unaccounted for today.
Means of protection were constructed during these battles Myanmar women participated in for change. Fighting on the frontlines, these women used materials that were of abundance in their society, including their menstrual blood and phones.
Women all across this divided country have strong beliefs that their sanitary products provide them with more protection then the military. Some people consider sanitary pads and [women’s] underwear as dirty things, but for us, those things are not dirty…they protect us, unlike the harmful military dictatorship[5].
In Myanmar, the most widely recognized national costume is the long yi[6]. Myanmar women are traditionally seen wearing the long yi. These women usually wear the colorful and floral patterned material that alludes to their rich and vibrant culture.
During times of war and protest, citizens who do not agree with the coup created flags out of traditional skirt material. These flags were then used as a visual disagreement to the coup. The protest movement was to go against an unprecedented rebuke to patriarchal norms in the Southeast Asian country[7].
Marriages were previously allowed between Burmese women and male foreigners provided that the divisional courts in Burma were informed within 21 days of advance notice. However, in May 2010, the government of Burma disallowed conducting of marriage ceremonies between Burmese women and male foreigners.[8] One of the suggested reasons was to avoid human trafficking.[8] Burmese women became victims of human traffickers and were traded for the sex industry in Pakistan and Thailand.[9]
To some extent, arranged marriages was also a part of Burmese tradition, however, the Burmese women have the right to refuse the offer of being betrothed to the parents' chosen partner for her. At present, young Burmese women can choose to marry someone for love.[8]
In 2000, the Asian Women's Resource Exchange (AWORC) published a report entitled Human Rights in Burma from the Forum News (August 1998) describing that by tradition, Burmese women are maternal self-abnegators, meaning that these women "consistently forgo their own needs in order to give their children first priority." The report also indicated that rural and urban Burmese women were affected by the deteriorating economic climate in Burma.[10]
As a result of British colonialism displacing the country, Burmese families were "increasingly prioritizing the rights of men over women to limited resources." These changes affected the access of Burmese women to nutrition, medical services, vocational training, and other educational opportunities. Burmese women became unwilling porters and unpaid laborer's for the military, including becoming victims of slavery, murder, torture, rape, and attacks.[10]
Historically, urban Burmese women "enjoyed high levels of social power" but later became confronted with restrictions on speech and limitations in acquiring high level positions in both private and public offices.[10] According to AWORC, only a few number of Burmese women receive education related to reproductive rights and safe birth control practices, thus making them prone to being infected by HIV and AIDS.[10] The women's rights movement in Burma started with the Burmese Women's Association in 1919.
In January 2008, BBC News featured Burmese Kayan Lahwi women who became tourist attractions in Thailand because of the tradition of wearing coils of brass around their necks. The rings of brass push the "women's shoulders and ribs down" throughout several years giving the effect as if the necks had been stretched, thus described as sporting "unnaturally long, giraffe-like necks."[11]
In Wa State, the Wa Women's Association coordinates philanthropic activities, cares for orphans and promotes cultural heritage.[12][13]
In 2014, The Irrawaddy published a newsletter entitled For First Time in 50 Years, Burma's Military Welcomes Women Officers describing that Women Military Cadets existing from Burma's Defense Service Academy. The Commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended this ceremony with a conclusive thought that Burma governmental agencies hold "renewed vigor" because of the graduating class.[14]
Gaining their independence from the British in 1948,[15] women were allowed to join the military around this interval however, limits were still placed on the positions they could equip and trainings they could participate in which has its own strict requirements also. Myanmar women were physically blockaded from joining "armed forces under the military regimes that controlled Burma from 1962 until 2011[16]".
Digital World
Myanmar women are facing digital repression by the military which limits their resources and their rights to a full education. From the charity Children of the Mekong, basic education enrolment dropped 80% within two years of the coup, leaving 7.8 million students out of school[17]. Being able to easily access to smartphones and other means of technology allows Myanmar women to educate themselves, create financial stability, and stay in contact with their loved ones.
Future of Myanmar Women
Women in Myanmar have endured the battles of gender inequality, sexual assault, gender-based war crimes, and continuous regression into a state of less power. Today, women and girls in Myanmar continue to face the ongoing crises and conflict in Myanmar: 10.4 million women and girls need humanitarian assistance, including 7.1 million women and 3.3 million girls[18]. To fully succeed as a country and not turn back to an unequal society with gender-inequality, Myanmar citizens must continue to strive for peace and strategically protest against the government so their voices are heard and not silenced.
Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Pictured: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung HlaingShan Women's Action Network
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