Women Struggle on the Path to Sustainability in Myanmar
SRIc Insights by
Despite the tireless efforts of non-profits, NGOs, and community-based organisations dedicated to advancing gender equality and social inclusion, women’s participation in key sectors across Myanmar remains alarmingly low. The diverse obstacles include inadequate access to quality education, unequal opportunities, and cultural and religious taboos. These issues significantly impede women’s ability to contribute to sustainable development and affect the country’s overall progress.
In many parts of Myanmar, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, women and girls encounter barriers to obtaining quality education. Financial restrictions within families, cultural norms that devalue women’s education, and pervasive gender-based violence all contribute to the exclusion of women from educational opportunities. Consequently, many women are confined to domestic roles, lacking the skills and knowledge to make meaningful societal contributions.
Economic inequality compounds these challenges, especially in the unstable political and economic climate. The lack of educational access directly impacts women’s economic opportunities. Limited financial resources prevent women from achieving economic independence, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence. This economic disparity further restricts their participation in skill development, decision-making processes, and leadership roles, impeding their progress in driving sustainable development.
Moreover, despite ongoing advocacy efforts, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, decision-making bodies, and influential sectors such as politics, business, and academia. This underrepresentation is a significant barrier to creating inclusive and sustainable development, as the perspectives and contributions of women are often overlooked in these critical areas.
These struggles, deeply rooted in cultural and social norms that prioritise traditional gender roles, continue to restrict women’s opportunities. Women are often expected to prioritise family responsibilities over personal or professional development, making engaging in activities that contribute to sustainable development difficult. These norms are powerful in rural areas, where change is slower and resistance to gender equality is higher.
Myanmar’s ongoing conflicts have disproportionately affected women, particularly those from ethnic minority groups. Women in conflict-affected areas face heightened risks of violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. These challenges make it even more difficult for them to access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, further marginalising them from the development process.
In summary, addressing these critical issues is essential for a sustainable future. Can the country truly achieve a sustainable future without gender inclusion and a focus on intersectionality?
The lack of educational access directly impacts women’s economic opportunities. Limited financial resources prevent women from achieving economic independence, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence.
Naychi Thel Kyaw Tun is a Program Manager at the Shwetaungthagathu Reform Initiative Centre (SRIc) and a YSEALI Academic Fellow in Society & Governance at Western Washington University in the United States. She has been admitted to pursue her master’s in Development Studies at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
“Advocating Sustainability, Shaping Our Future”
Contact: sabaitimes@shwetaungthagathu.com