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Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar References Anonymous. (2021). ‘We are hard to ignore now’: Women’s participation in Myanmar’s resistance movement from February - March 2021. Anonymous. (2022). Unheard Voices: Qualitative Research on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Myanmar (2016-2021). Clark-Parsons, R. (2018). Building a digital Girl Army: The cultivation of feminist safe spaces online. New Media and Society, 20:6, 2125-2144. Cockburn, C., & Ormrod, S. (1993). Gender and technology in the making. London: Sage. Dunn, S. (2020). Technology-facilitated gender-based violence: An overview. Supporting a Safer Internet Paper No. 1. Center for International Governance Innovation. Freedom House & Free Expression Myanmar (FEM). (2022). Freedom on the Net 2022: Myanmar. https://freedomhouse.org/country/myanmar/freedom-net/2022 Hafkin, N., & Taggart, N. (2001). Gender, information technology and developing countries: an analytic study. Washington, DC.: Academy for Educational Development. Hambly, H. (2005). Introduction. In Gender and ICTs for development: a global sourcebook. Hughes, D. M. (2002). The use of new communications and information technologies for sexual exploitation of women and children. Hastings Women’s Law Journal , vol. 13, No. 1. Huyer, S., & Nuñez, E. (2022). Breaking through the silicon wall: gendered opportunities and risks of new technologies. Gender, Technology and Development, 26:3, 306-324. Huyer, S., & Sikoska, T. (2003). Overcoming the gender digital divide: understanding ICTs and their potential for the empowerment of women. INSTRAW Research Paper Series, No. 1. 61

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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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