Introduction ./ 0 1.% & Background International law (/5:%:A#=" T-60 International law says clearly that “discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, [and] is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries”. It also says that “the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields”. (/5:%:A#=" T-60= 6'"=%-1'#/5:%& '#/'2:%& $/.%P9/5-1<B%S “'$+/,&<$H&$+"&'"& *3Q8*"&9=%9A8*:%&<B% #.%&#@'*3:;%'6>&$@E10$+"&():% 2@PN5V%</=q"62&!"&$M=/5 *+/,&67"=%<B%$B%JS '$+/,&<$H&$+"&J '$+/,&<"&$+"&():;%#.%&#@ $/$/#/5P#/5:%&8-B%J (/5:%:A6>&U 2@$M6>&U !H&-3"&6>&():;% ?T%6=+&$MDEI -1E:%69":%>3=%*3:;%=/5 '6()":;%'?)=% '\.%P'#"& 87!%JS” 4/5P8-:% “(/5:%:A#!%(/5:%:A !:%&25A&8-B;% 73AOY7/,&#/5&#=%6>&U =$x"W=H&<"?"E68-"6>&():;% Y:/$%&*+$%&6>&#3:% .?%-?%'<H&<H&I '$+/,&<$H&$+"&<B% '$+/,&<"&$+"&():;% 87!%(/5:%<$+)#.%&#@-1E:% 69":%>3=%(/5:%*3:;% 2/5'-%J” The right to freedom of expression and information has been integral to all attempts to resist discriminatory and oppressive practices, and has enabled women to speak out in civil, political, social, economic and cultural contexts, participating in their own emancipation and improving their status. Women’s exercise of freedom of expression in order to organise and speak out has rewarded them with new hard-fought freedoms such as the right to vote, the right to control their own bodies, the right to unionise, and the right to equality before the law. The right to freedom of expression includes the right to freedom of information which has empowered women to make decisions and speak out on the basis of knowledge. Information and knowledge ensure women have the means to understand their rights in general, and give them the arguments to push for change. Together freedom of expression and freedom of information enable women to: • • • Understand and exercise their full range of rights Make more effective decisions based on knowledge, for example, with regard to their own bodies, their families and employment Challenge injustice, discrimination and oppression ARTICLE 19 - Censored gender: Women’s right to freedom of expression and information in Myanmar - Page 12