Expanding Opportunities to deepen women’s participation in decision making processes and initiatives for peace and reconciliation in Rakhine, Northern Shan and Kachin

In 2011, Myanmar’s political and economic reform agenda was launched, and the President U Thein Sein invited Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) to take part in a three-step plan: bi-lateral ceasefires, nationwide ceasefire and political dialogue1. During the NCA talks process there was no meaningful engagement to foster the participation of women or include gender perspective in the issues covered. This on-going exclusion of women poses a substantial risk to achieve sustainable peace in Myanmar2. The exclusion of women is further aggravated by the military coup in 2021, which is overriding human rights guarantees.
The history, culture and politics in Myanmar have resulted in a fractured society with many excluded and feeling distant from regional and national peace processes, where there is a broad meaning of peace (social cohesion, land rights, livelihood, health and education). To respond to this reality Nonviolent Peaceforce Myanmar (NPM) created a new advisor network to feed in experience of challenging exclusion on land rights, health and education. This was established with support from Partnerships for Equity and Inclusion, an international equity-focused network, which enabled NPM to work with the ‘emerging women leaders’ network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in 4 states in Myanmar Chin, Kachin, northern Shan & Rakhine States. Hence NPM trained the 5 identified partners who are impacted not only by the armed conflict but also by structural inequalities that prevent them to enjoy fully their rights.
The following study explores specific enablers and obstacles to women’s participation in politics and peace negotiations in Myanmar. The study was conducted in and influenced by the context of women’s broader socioeconomic marginalization. It identifies positive and enabling practices from various contexts that can inform recommendations for the increased and equal participation of women in public affairs in Myanmar.
According to the research findings, there are huge barriers for women to participate in peace initiatives and their experiences, needs and capacities are not included in discussions for peace. As a result, the peace process is developing policies without a gender perspective. Findings show that women’s equal participation in politics and peace processes, as well as in communities and legal structures, is needed to provide women’s unique perspectives, networks, skills, and abilities to contribute to governance, prioritise women’s and girls’ needs and avoid discriminatory practices.
It is critical to strength women’s confidence and capacity which has been weakened as a result of historical exclusion and gender-biased education or lack of formal education. Women’s political engagement also requires support for childcare, the competing demands of domestic responsibilities and for public safety and security owing to the fear of gender-based violence.
Women have a valuable contribution to make towards improving education, increasing facilities for health-care or infrastructure that targets the basic needs of the communities in which they live. The inclusion of women and their priorities at all levels of public decision making and management is thus fundamental to achieving sustainable peace and development.