Myanmar Case Study – Part One

Myanmar Study Background

The Women, Work and Violence in S/SE Asia research project covered the following components:

Community Study

This study focused on women from lower economic backgrounds in Yae Oak Kan village, which borders the industrial zone of the Hlaing Tharyar township in Yangon.

This community is surrounded by factories, most of which predominantly hire women.

Professional Level

Twenty interviews were conducted with women from good economic backgrounds working in professions in various sectors including medicine, the (I)NGO sector, corporate business and entrepreneurial activities.

Programme / Organisational Studies

Two studies were carried out in Myanmar. The first focussed on Akhaya which is a relatively prominent domestic NGO which regularly speaks out in public forums about women’s rights issues. A focus group approach was taken to engage with Akhaya staff, and with women engaged in Akhaya’s women’s empowerment training.

The second study looked at the UNDP self-reliance programme which works across Myanmar to promote women’s autonomy. Fifteen focus groups were conducted with women members from throughout Myanmar at a pre-organised UNDP gathering in Yangon. These women have been engaged in micro-finance activities, and more recently in anti-VAW training.

Case Study Activity

Let’s now examine the Myanmar context using the social ecology framework that was conducted as part of the research.

Reading 1:  Context Report Myanmar

Reflection Questions Note down the range of ways, identified in this reading, in which women are still discriminated against What positive actions (if any) are noted that have been taken already to improve the situation? What obstacles exist that prevent positive actions being taken or benefiting women to the extent that they should?

Insights from the study

Now read the following article by Zara Ramsay, written for the study, which gives insight into the realities of life for women in Myanmar. It is found within the Women, Work and Violence in South Asia Newsletter no.2.

Reading 2:  What use is a job without freedom?

Reflective question:

Case Study Assignment  Select one of the following learning activities: For Myanmar, or a country of your choice, draw up a map of types of organisations and individuals who you think have an interest as stakeholders in reducing violence against women at work or in resisting such change? Use a different colour for stakeholders who have an influence at societal, community, household or personal levels. or Write a short article on a country of your choice making use of research you conduct drawing on the social ecology approach Share the work you have done on your activity via the activity submission button, indicating whether you are willing for this to be shared on the Gender in South Asia blog.

Now return to the Theme 1 Self Assessment Page

Theme 1: Context – Self Assessment