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Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar university programs, people with disabilities, LGBT+ advocates, legal aid lawyers, and women leaders in the field of ICT. Out of the total 12 KII participants, 10 are women and 2 are men. The age range of the KII participants in the study is as follows: two individuals aged 18 to 25, four individuals aged 26 to 35, four individuals aged 36 to 45, and one individual aged 46 to 55 years old. This age distribution aimed to capture insights from different age cohorts and their experiences related to ICT opportunities and challenges after the 2021 coup. For the survey, the research team opted to collect data through Google Form and utilized the Convenience Sampling Method and Snowball Sampling Method to mitigate the security risks imposed on the participants. The survey was distributed to organizations and networks familiar with conflict-affected areas as well as urban areas, and working with women and on violence against women in general. The survey was only targeting women and people who identify as women - this was made clear in the first question of the survey. Although the research has sampling limitations due to safety and security concerns, we targeted diverse networks that include grassroot organizations and social groups from different contexts and backgrounds beyond the scope of gender-focused local NGOs. Local NGOs were also encouraged to distribute the survey towards the grassroot organizations they work with, particularly in contested areas. We also used an existing Telegram Channel to acquire survey data from women interested in digital rights issues. Time limitation was also present in the collection of the survey data, since the research team had only approximately eight days for data collection. The survey data was collected from 175 individuals between 14 to 22 February 2023. The complete survey questionnaire can be found in Annex 1. Among the survey respondents, 28% are from NGOs/CBOs working on social issues, 10.86% are civil servants, 9.71% are students, 8% are civil servants participating in CDM, 8% are business owners and 14.1% are working odd-jobs, or as part time laborers and company employees. In terms of age, the majority are young and mature adults: 29.14% of the respondents are aged 25-34, and 29.14% are aged 35-44. In terms of education level, about half (50.29%) of the respondents are graduates, 21.14% are Master’s degree holders and 9.14% have PhDs. With Myanmar being an ethnically diverse country with protracted conflict, the research team tried to collect responses that are representative of different areas of the country. The geographical composition - as measured by the residence of survey respondents 15

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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.

Primary Documents

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