 A Burmese woman in traditional garb, c. 1920. | |
| General statistics | |
|---|---|
| Maternal mortality (per 100,000) | 200 (2010) |
| Women in parliament | 4.0% (2012) |
| Women over 25 withsecondary education | 18.0% (2010) |
| Women in labour force | 75.0% (2011) |
| Gender Inequality Index[1] | |
| Value | 0.498 (2021) |
| Rank | 125th out of 191 |
| Global Gender Gap Index[2] | |
| Value | 0.677 (2022) |
| Rank | 106th out of 146 |
Historically,women in Myanmar (also known asBurma) have had a uniquesocial status and esteemed women inBurmese society. According to the research done byMya Sein, Burmesewomen "for centuries – even beforerecorded history" owned a "high measure of independence" and had retained their "legal and economic rights" despite the influences ofBuddhism andHinduism. Burma once had amatriarchal system that includes the exclusive right to inheritoil wells and the right to inherit the position asvillage head. Burmese women were also appointed to high offices byBurmese kings, can become chieftainesses andqueens.[3][4]
Supporting Article:Burmese Clothing
Thehtamein (ထဘီ[tʰəmèɪɰ̃]) is one of the traditional dresses of Burmese women.[3][5] This skirtcloth or lower body wrapper was worn by women during theKonbaung dynasty (1752–1855) as a wrap-around skirt, or sometimes as a folded clothing material placed "tightly across the abdomen slightly left center of the waist".[5] In comparison, Burmese men wore the traditional lower garment known as thepahso (ပုဆိုး[pəsʰó]).[5]
Superstitions have been tied to Myanmar women and their menstrual materials being directly linked to completely diminish the strength of their strength [spiritual energy] that troops had during battles. While in enemy territory, Myanmar women went against this superstition and were "threatened by tear gas and bullets[6]" while actively placing used menstrual material in the protesting streets.
Main Article:Marriage in Myanmar
Marriages were previously allowed between Burmese women and male foreigners provided that the divisional courts in Burma were informed within 21 days of advance notice. However, in May 2010, the government of Burma disallowed conducting of marriage ceremonies between Burmese women and male foreigners.[7] One of the suggested reasons was to avoidhuman trafficking.[7] Burmese women became victims of human traffickers and were traded for the sex industry in Pakistan and Thailand.[8]
To some extent, arranged marriages was also a part of Burmese tradition, however, the Burmese women have the right to refuse the offer of being betrothed to the parents' chosen partner for her. At present, young Burmese women can choose to marry someone for love.[7]
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In 2000, the Asian Women's Resource Exchange (AWORC) published a report entitledHuman Rights in Burma from theForum News (August 1998) describing that by tradition, Burmese women are maternal self-abnegators, meaning that these women "consistently forgo their own needs in order to give their children first priority." The report also indicated that rural and urban Burmese women were affected by the deteriorating economic climate in Burma.[9]
As a result of British colonialism displacing the country, Burmese families were "increasingly prioritising the rights of men over women to limited resources." These changes affected the access of Burmese women to nutrition, medical services, vocational training, and other educational opportunities. Burmese women became unwilling porters and unpaid labourers for the military, including becoming victims of slavery, murder, torture, rape, and attacks.[9]
Historically, urban Burmese women "enjoyed high levels of social power" but later became confronted with restrictions on speech and limitations in acquiring high level positions in both private and public offices.[9] According to AWORC, only a few number of Burmese women receive education related to reproductive rights and safe birth control practices, thus making them prone to being infected by HIV and AIDS.[9] The women's rights movement in Burma started with theBurmese Women's Association in 1919.
In January 2008, BBC News featured BurmeseKayan Lahwi women who became tourist attractions in Thailand because of the tradition of wearing coils of brass around their necks. The rings of brass push the "women's shoulders and ribs down" throughout several years giving the effect as if the necks had been stretched, thus described as sporting "unnaturally long,giraffe-like necks."[10]
In Wa State, theWa Women's Association coordinates philanthropic activities, cares for orphans and promotes cultural heritage.[11][12]
Supporting Article:Min Aung Hlaing
In 2014, The Irrawaddy published a newsletter entitledFor First Time in 50 Years, Burma's Military Welcomes Women Officers describing that Women Military Cadets existing from Burma's Defense Service Academy. The Commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended this ceremony with a conclusive thought that Burma governmental agencies hold "renewed vigor" because of the graduating class.[13]
Gaining their independence from the British in 1948,[14] women were allowed to join the military around this interval however, limits were still placed on the positions they could equip and trainings they could participate in which has its own strict requirements also. Myanmar women were physically blockaded from joining "armed forces under the military regimes that controlled Burma from 1962 until 2011[15]".
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