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Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar Survey data indicates that women use communication channels such as making direct calls via mobile, using SMS for messaging and utilizing VOIP applications for work or personal communication. Such communication channels are considered weak from a digital security standpoint, as they can be easily intercepted by telecom operators and the SAC. It is preferable to use communication channels supported with end-to-end encryption such as in the case of Telegram, Signal, Viber, Facebook Messenger and email. 27.43% of respondents were using SMS as their daily communication tool and 22.68% used it at least once a week. Approximately half of the respondents used mobile SMS, which is the least secure communication method, and 70.86% of respondents made phone calls daily - another unsafe communication practice. The 80.57% of respondents who are using Facebook Messenger for their daily communication needs have at least a basic level of digital security. The most digitally secure communication tools are Signal - used by 54.29% and Telegram used by 62.29% of respondents on a daily basis. These results highlight the heightened digital security risk awareness of our respondents, most of whom are engaged in civil society work that is increasingly threatened by the junta. The interviewees consistently highlighted that in many rural contexts, there is still a profound lack of awareness about the benefits to be gained from ICTs, a lack of exposure to the range of available features on mobile phones, and a lack of privacy and digital security awareness. They also suggested that most women make limited use of ICTs, restricting themselves to electronic banking and applications such as Facebook, Viber and TikTok. Facebook was referenced repeatedly as being synonymous with the internet in Myanmar and used by many people, regardless of age and geographic location as a primary source of information and news. The number of Facebook users in Myanmar peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic with 25.33 million users on the platform, but declined to 19.83 million due to the junta’s telecommunications blocks and its ban on Facebook from 4 February 2021 (Napoleoncat, 2023). Nevertheless, the platform plays a critical role in disseminating vital information. 29

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

Report

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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.

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