MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR In terms of employment, it is widely acknowledged that women have less earning opportunities and that a significant wage gap exists (as the survey data also shows; Figure 9). While there are more job opportunities in Yangon, respondents in the qualitative research felt that, in most companies, women hardly ever hold management positions. Young women more often find jobs as sales/promotion staff in cosmetic or fabric stores. Some of the younger respondents pointed to inequality between women and men in terms of career progression, with employers preferring to hire unmarried (and attractive) women for these positions. Unmarried women are seen as more flexible since they are not encumbered by family responsibilities. One respondent had lied to her boss about her marital status to get the job. Figure 12 Source: MSR Excerpts from a Myanmar primary school textbook and translation Our Mother Our Mother, who feeds and nurtures us till we grow old and loves us much. Our Mother, who sets the disciplines for our childhood and tells us which is right and wrong. Our Mother, who sends us to school and makes us educated. Our Mother, who treats us nourishing food to make us healthy. Our Respectful Mother. Our Mother, who treats us with kindness and takes care of our clothing. Our Lovely Mother. Our Father Our Father, who earns money for our needs (food, clothing, shelter). Our Benefactor, Father. Our Father, who knows how to do and what to do if some issues happen. Our Father, who manages our family. Our Respectful Father. Our Father, who is thoughtful, intelligent and who can control us. Our Father, who works for the country. Who works for us. 26 4.2.3 Importance of family and the home In Myanmar, the home is like a nest, a place where all family members belong and stay together. Being with one’s family at home is regarded as the ‘default’ mode, and people generally do not leave without a valid reason (work, studies, etc.). Respondents generally agreed that females have to be home after dark. Males have more freedom and can stay out in the evening to meet friends at teashops or beer stations, but mothers or wives ‘monitor’ them via mobile phone. Both male and female family members who go out for work or leisure need to inform their mother (and/or wife) of their whereabouts and are expected to be in frequent contact with home. In part, this has to do with safety and guidance (to ensure the family member is not doing something that would harm the family’s honour/ reputation), but part of it is also the closeness of family members. Many adult children are close to their family, and girls and women especially discuss most affairs with their mothers and need to feel close to her if they live in another town. Therefore, those who work or study outside the home (e.g. in another town) are ‘entitled’ to have a mobile phone, regardless of gender. 27