Previous 13 / 79 Next

Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar role in the anti-coup protests and remain committed to the resistance movements, such as civil disobedience movement (CDM) and the ‘Sarong Revolution’ (also known as Htamein), highlighting their fear that the coup could reinvigorate the military’s long history of patriarchal oppression and impunity for human rights violations. According to UNDP and the UN Women (2022), women and girls in Myanmar are facing significant and escalating security threats since the military takeover. Indeed, they have been the target of systematic and widespread sexual violence crimes, with recent qualitative research presenting a troubling snapshot of rape, gang rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment (including in detention) perpetrated by the security forces (WAC-M & WLB, 2022). The military’s tactics of using violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, primarily against the ethnic minority populations have expanded since the coup to include the entire country (Anonymous, 2022). The qualitative data indicates that security forces perpetrated 85% of the conflict-related sexual violence in Myanmar. The data also highlights a stark accountability gap for conflict-related sexual violence cases by the security forces that have long enjoyed military impunity for human rights abuses in ethnic areas. The military has deployed its “four cuts” strategy of cutting off food, finances, intelligence and recruitment in some ethnic areas, and has been using indiscriminate methods to restrict access to the internet with temporary internet and mobile network shutdowns implemented nationwide. Freedom of expression has also been severely impacted by the SAC’s censorship of websites/domains and criminalization of dissenting voices online (MIP, 2021). Despite increasing internet restrictions and digital surveillance, women have been able to leverage social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to express their political views, generate feminist messages, raise awareness about the resistance movement, or help with further organizing. Emerging data demonstrates that women have been facing growing levels of targeted online abuse and harassment as a result of their online anti-coup activism (Anonymous, 2023). 1.2.1. The digital gender divide in Myanmar According to the 2018 digital gender gap audit report of the Myanmar ICT for Development Organization (MIDO, 2018), Myanmar women are 28% less likely to own a mobile phone than men. In a mobile-first Internet environment this implies a 13

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

“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
Download View