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Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar “The country’s digital transformation is hindered by the military coup and advances made over the last decades are lost. So, our education platform is trying to make maximum use of traditional and new ICTs – for example through e-learning and other ICT-based education delivery systems to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere regardless of age, gender, geographic location, academic status, or any other differentiating demographic. The program provides many free online courses including gender awareness, gender-based violence and women, peace, and security – based on a multi-media training package as well as teleconferencing. The production of learning materials and methodologies are supported by experts from various expertise and academia. The program also adapted the military’s increasing internet restrictions by shifting from fixed hour zoom classes to the diverse methods of animation, self-paced interactive modules, and pre-recorded video lectures to best meet the learners’ needs. The pilot project is underway for creating and delivering offline learning boxes to the students from rural areas and conflict zones with unreliable connectivity.” (KII_03, a male CDM student) Several interviewees mentioned the importance of access to ICTs for women’s sexual and reproductive health and for survivors of gender-based violence. Many CSOs working on women’s rights and empowerment issues have launched awareness-raising initiatives and support services on social media both before and after the coup - such as ‘Don’t Be Shy (Ma Shat Nae)’, ‘Hello Doctor (Hello Sayarwon)’ and associated Telegram/ Facebook Messenger chatbots. Access to these services allows women and girls to make informed choices about contraception and family planning, protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, and access information on pre- and post-natal care. ICTs also allow GBV survivors to access information on life-saving services that would be inaccessible otherwise. The interviewees also mentioned the increasing number of women-owned small- and medium-size online businesses - many of them operating on Facebook. One of the greatest benefits that ICTs can bring is access to market information and platforms that facilitate business operations, marketing and access to customers. While the interviewees expressed concerns over the proliferation of sexualized media content that portrays women and girls as sex objects, they also highlighted the 35

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“Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar” Research

Report

Preview

Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions
Military Coup

Author(s)

Gender Equality Network (GEN)
Myanmar Internet Project (MIP)

Date Published: Apr 2, 2024

Abstract: This study on “Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar” serves as an introductory overview of the implications of the military’s digital repression on women’s rights and gender equality in Myanmar, while acknowledging and measuring the benefits ICTs have brought for women and women’s rights organizations in the country. Quantitative and qualitative data collection for the study was undertaken in February 2023 through an online survey and key informant interviews (KIIs). The survey was conducted via Google Forms and utilized the Convenience Sampling Method and Snowball Sampling Method to mitigate the security risks imposed on the participants - a total of 175 individuals. Twelve people working on women’s rights and digital rights in various capacities were interviewed for the KIIs to ensure a comprehensive range of perspectives.

The study’s main findings revealed that

i) there is a gender gap in mobile phone ownership and internet use;

ii) women from lower income households, women belonging to ethnic minorities and women from conflict-affected areas are at particular risk of digital exclusion;

(iii) ICTs have the potential to greatly enhance women’s rights organizations ability to create new values and to shape meanings, internalized beliefs and social norms;

iv) the military’s digital control exacerbates the risks of gender-based violence and disrupts women’s access to accurate and trustworthy information and life-saving services.

The study highlighted concerns about the impact of the junta’s violent campaign of terror against the pro-democracy movement as it stifles the voices of women online and reinforces a culture of fear and silence, perpetuates self-censorship, and reduces women’s political participation in digital spaces. Women human rights defenders and other activists depend on digital platforms for solidarity, networking and mobilization, hence online attacks mean they must find ways to mitigate digital risks to continue their work.

A series of recommendations are included in the study to facilitate the advocacy of the international community, donor agencies, telecommunications and technology companies operating in Myanmar and the democratically-elected government. The recommendations emphasize the need to pressure the military junta to immediately end internet and telecommunications shutdowns and to hold platforms accountable to minimize digital harms for women and girls in Myanmar.

Primary Documents

Technology - Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar.pdf
English
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