Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar
of the respondents engaged in ‘click-to-donate’ campaigns to generate funding for the
resistance forces. Despite the risks and restrictions on freedom of expression, the vast
majority of respondents participated in campaigns that intend to bring political and
social change that shows their commitment to the restoration of democracy.
Having been asked about their concerns related to organizing or participating in online
anti-coup campaigns, all interviewees agreed that such activities can lead to offline
violence: raids, arrest, detention, maiming, harm to their loved ones and death. Several
interviewees mentioned adopting self-censorship practices such as deleting content on
the anti-coup protests, altering their online posts or keeping only apolitical content on
their feeds. Some of them reduced their online presence or completely withdrew from
online activities.
Another common fear among interviewees is the presence of informers on their friend
lists. They described taking control of their accounts by unfriending those who support
the coup, vetting new friend requests and verifying each account and number. Those
interviewees working on fundraising campaigns for the resistance forces described their
concerns on the junta’s increased scrutiny of wire transfer and efforts to freeze bank
accounts. Women’s online participation has been restricted beyond the individual level,
as well. Some civil society organizations deliberately keep a low profile by reducing the
number of social media posts they share and becoming cautious about posting content
related to equality, human rights, and violence against women on their Facebook pages.
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