MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR Source: LIRNEasia Baseline Survey, 2015 Figure 10 Source:LIRNEasia Baseline Survey, 2015 Table 3 Highest level of education completed Access to electricity % of population aged 15–65 % of households Vocational training (0%) Vocational training (0%) Tertiary education Secondary schooling 28% 21% 6% 6% Tertiary education 9% 8% Secondary schooling 27% 41% 17% Less than primary schooling completed 8% 3% 88% 19% 40% OTHER ELECTRIC POWER 5% 19% 14% TOTAL 93% 37% 54% 5% Urban residents in SEC C and B have a much more comfortable home than lower income families and rural residents. They have access to electricity (although power outages occur frequently) and water, and own appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and newer model TVs, as well as a bed. However, the living conditions of urban residents in SEC D and below is quite similar to their rural peers. While the urban and rural poor share concerns about inadequate income and employment opportunities, the qualitative research revealed additional urban-specific challenges, including: 13% No formal schooling GOVERNMENT ELECTRICITY SUPPLY Sixty-nine percent of households have access to some kind of transportation, mostly bicycles, motorcycles, or three-wheeled vehicles. Houses are usually made of wooden materials, with bamboo used more often in rural areas. Houses in rural areas are basic, often with no running water or sanitation. Houses are sparsely furnished; people sit and sleep on the floor. Despite this harsh living situation, villagers value the communal spirit of their communities and having their neighbours as a support network. In contrast, urban dwellers often live in a rather anonymous environment, knowing neighbours only by sight. 43% 6% Myanmar total Primary schooling 62% Less than primary schooling completed Rural 19% 55% Primary schooling Urban 14% No formal schooling 9% • Longer commuting time due to greater road congestion • High costs of better and higher education • Cramped living conditions. Urban Male (%) Urban Female (%) Rural Male (%) Rural Female (%) The national baseline survey revealed that access to electricity in rural households in Myanmar is low: just 37% (Table 3). Even where electricity is available at the village level, affordability is an issue. According to qualitative respondents in Pantanaw, the total cost of getting connected to the electrical grid is as high as USD 300–400, which is higher than the total monthly expenditure of the majority of households in Myanmar (Figure 6). Low rural connectivity does not seem to be a barrier to mobile access, as owners either charge their phones at family or friends’ houses or mobile-charging businesses. Urban access to electricity is far better, with 93% of households either connected to the national grid or another source. 22 4.2 Social fundamentals and key values in Myanmar society There are clear differences between urban and rural areas in terms of income, education, access to services, and other factors. Yet, many of the ‘softer’ characteristics (family values, social norms, etc.) appear to be shared across urban and rural Myanmar, most noticeably among the lower SEC (D and E) urban population. 23