Vox Pop: Women share thoughts on International Women’s Day 

By Admin 08 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom

It has been more than two years since Myanmar was thrown into turmoil by a military coup. Women are devoid of safety amid the post-coup chaos, facing arrest, torture and various other forms of violence.

On International Women’s Day, which fell on March 8, a cross-section of women in Arakan State shared their views on gender inequality and the challenges they face under military rule.

Daw Nyo Aye || Chairwoman || Rakhine Women Network

I welcome International Women’s Day. There are things that women have sacrificed to make the world observe International Women’s Day. Women in Arakan State are subjected to grave human rights violations. Most importantly, there is no safety. Not only women but also men are devoid of safety. I feel sorry to see that women from various ethnic groups are suffering from various hardships.

There is discrimination on the grounds of gender in the workplace. For example, in bricklaying, while male bricklayers get a daily wage of 10,000 kyats, female bricklayers only get 6,000 kyats. So we want to have equality, even in basic jobs. On this International Women’s Day, I would like to urge men around the world to have understanding and sympathy for women.

Ma Khin Myint Kyi || Activist

Today, women don’t feel safe to go outside alone, even during daytime. We fear mugging and sexual harassment, even in Sittwe.

And we also want to have a promotion policy that focuses on merit without discrimination on the basis of gender. We want to get a rank because we deserve it, and not because we are women. We don’t want to see discrimination.

Saw San Nyein Thu || Chairwoman || Rakhaing Women’s Initiative Organisation

There are still various forms of violence against women in our country. Because women can’t earn a decent livelihood here and are suffering from economic and social hardships, they go to foreign countries to work as illegal workers. And they suffer from sexual abuse and bullying by employers. Some cases are fatal.

Inside the country, women also suffer from various forms of bullying by employers at the workplace. They don’t get salaries, or are beaten, or face tough restrictions. Recently, I received a complaint about no pay and beatings.

I want to eliminate what has become unsafe for women in a situation where the rule of law is weak in the country. I want Myanmar to have strong rule of law and women to be able to move safely and freely.

Daw Aye Khaing || Female IDP 

On this International Women’s Day, I would like to ask for equal rights for women. I want to ask for equal rights for women, be it in terms of labour or socially. If the government makes a decision about women, I want them to make the same decision as they would for men.

Women are subjected to violence in social, economic and educational fields. For example, if women do something, we want them to have equal rights without being discriminated against because they are divorced, virgin, or have a man. If a man and a woman get divorced because they don’t agree with each other, it ends the same way, according to tradition, and the woman doesn’t get the child or the property. In cases of divorce, women want to get children and property according to the law.

Ma Saw Mrat Ei Khaing || Shwe Yaung Myitta Foundation

According to the current situation in the country, women do not even have the freedom to go out. Rapes and murder cases are often reported across the country. In a situation where even men are worried about going out, women feel more afraid to go out because they are more independent and insecure. Women suffer a lot from poverty.

Nowadays, women are given the same rights as men. Women also have the skills to be equal to men. More than this, I want women to have more equal rights.

On the other hand, women are subjected to violence and trafficked. These are relevant to the authorities as well as to the people. As the relevant authorities define women as weak, women cannot be protected as much as they deserve under the law.

I would like to encourage women to go to the places they should go and avoid the places they should avoid. Today, on International Women’s Day, I pray that all women will be able to do what they want to do, be healthy and happy, and receive equal rights and attention.