Welcome to the May Edition of GEN Monthly Newsletter! We had have a busy time with a new project launching, GBV forum, workshop and meeting for inclusion of gender in different sectors.

Each month, we will ask a GEN member, friend or staff for some insight into their participation with GEN. This month we ask, Ma Aye Mya Nandar Soe who actively participated in GEN's activities as a TRP member, to share about her feelings and experience with GEN.

Mingalarpar

I started joining the GEN meeting through the connection of my friend that I respect and close like my sister while working at one of social organization. I became participate in an International Women Day event which was organized by GEN as well as worked as a volunteer in other events. Since then, I was always keeping in touch with GEN and getting learning regarding women and gender issues.

In early 2003, I worked as a Training Coordinator for four months with the program of (CCL) Training Program at GEN. During those time, GEN had only few staffs but working collaboratively, and I really miss my working time there and colleagues. But now, the number of staffs at GEN was increased with the own office and I am so proud of GEN that they are working broadly and effectively for the gender equality issues in Myanmar.

I became a Technical Resource Person (TRP) of GEN at 2014. At the first, I could not involve with GEN’s activities well as I was busy with different tasks. 2015 and later on, I am trying to collaborate with GEN-CU staffs, SC members and other members as much as I can. I believe that with positive emotion and mindful compassion, we all can go our journey collaboratively to achieve gender equality and justice.

GEN's Hightlight

GEN’s new books launch ceremony was successfully held on May 4 at Lotte Hotel. In the event, Hidden Blanks to be Filled- a book about what are needed to be included in Laws related to Prevention and Protection of Violence against Women and why (Only in Myanmar Language), Case 100 - a book about violence against women cases including penalties the perpetrators who committed violence against women and girls received, how different penalties are for the same form of violence, what difficulties and barriers women and girls face while they go through legal system, etc. (Only in Myanmar Language), and Service Provisions for Gender-Based Violence Survivors in Myanmar - a study about various service provisions for Survivors provided by the state, NGOs and CSOs in Myanmar, what advantages and gaps exist in these provisions, and recommendations to fill these gaps, were introduced and a panel discussion about the content of the books as well as how media could support the development process of and essential elements to be included in Policies and Laws related to Prevention and Protection of Violence against Women and Girls with panelists Daw Hla Hla Yee (Director of Legal Clinic Myanmar), Daw Nilar Tun ( SC member of GEN) and Daw Thin Thin Aung (Director of Mizzima Media) and a moderator U Billy Kan Myat (Executive Director of Thingaha Gender).

Book Launching Ceremony

Launching on "Empowered Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Promoting Gender Equality in Myanmar" Project

Mandalay

The project Launch for "Empowered Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Promoting Gender Equality in Myanmar" was held on 11 May 2018 at Jasmine Hall, Hotel Mandalay. The Project is funded by European Union and will be jointly implemented by GEN, DCA-NCA and Pyoe Pin Institute. (123) representatives from Department of Social Welfare, Government Departments, INGOs, NGOs, CSOs and Media joined the event. Dr. Yu Yu May (Chairperson of MRCW Mandalay), Augustine Hti San (Project officer of the EU Delegation) provided Opening Remarks and Dr. Kaythi Myint Thein (GEN) also provided the brief introductions. The Panel Discussion titled “Empowered Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Promoting Gender Equality in Myanmar through National Mechanism" was moderated by U Tay Zar San (Yoan Kyi Yar Library Team), and Dr. Htay Maung (member, MRCW), Dr. Daw Hlaing Yin Nwe (member, MRCW) and sheriff police officer U Myo Zin (Anti Human Trafficking Task Force) discussed at the panel. Dr. Htet Wai Oo (Project Manager of GEN) explained about the project and then answers the questions from the participants.

EU Project Launch in Mandalay

Taunggyi

The project Launch was also held on 18 May 2018 at Taunggyi. The Project is funded by European Union and will be jointly implemented by GEN, DCA-NCA and Pyoe Pin Institute. (75) Representatives from Department of Social Welfare, Government Departments, INGOs, NGOs, CSOs and Media joined the event. Dr. Aung Than Maung (Cabinet Of Shan State, Burma Minister of Ethnic) gave an opening remark and Daw Kyawt Kyawt Khaing (Steering Committee Member of GEN) also provided the brief introductions. Dr. Hnin Shwe Zin Hlaing (Program Manager of GEN) and Dr. Htet Wai Oo (Project Manager of GEN) explained and about the project and introduced the first year work plan. Ma Zon Phyu Lin (Project Coordinator of DCA-NCA) also explained the CSO assessment and discussed about how participants can contribute and then related persons were answered all the questions from the participants.

EU Project Launch in Taung Gyi

Hpa Ann

On 24 May 2018 , GEN had successfully launched the EU-funded project in Hpa An, with an opening remarks delivered by the Kayin State, Bamar Ethnic Minister, U Tayza Htut Hlaing Htwe and U Zaw Min, Deputy Director, Department of Social Welfare, Kayin State. The event was attended by over 70 participants representing government departments, civil society organizations, UN agencies and International NGOs.

EU Project Launch at Hpa An

Myitkyina

EU project was held on 29 May (Tuesday) 2018 at Office of the Assembly Hall, Myitkyina. One hundred and fourty four representatives from Department of Social Welfare, Representative of Kachin State Parliament, Government Departments, INGOs, NGOs, CSOs and Media joined the event.

EU Project Launch At Myitkyina

Prevention of Violence Against Women Workshop

Workshop on Prevention of Violence against Women was held, in coordination with GEN and Phan Tee Eain, on 23rd May at Dike Oo Township. GEN-CU Training Coordinator and Program Officer served as facilitators of the workshop and local authorities and women groups actively participated and shared their experiences on gender based violence.

Working Group Meeting with Members

The second meeting of the Gender and Labour Laws Working Group was held on 2 May 2018 and discussed about the future collaboration and plan for the advocacy for gender inclusion in the labour related legislation.

Meetings or Workshops attended as GEN's Representatives

GEN's Acting Director presented as a speaker at the Panel at the "CSO Leadership Workshop" organised by People in Need at Orchid Hotel, Yangon. At the panel discussion, 4 CSO leaders shared their experiences on network leadership, organisational leadership and political leadership. More than 40 representative attended and discussed with their fruitful thoughts.

GEN's Acting Director attended a workshop "Regional Consultation on Women's Labour Rights in South and South East Asia" organised by International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific) in Kathmandu in Nepal from 18-20 May 2018. About 50 leaders from CSOs and Government representative working on Gender and/or Labour issues attended the meeting. The leaders shared and presented different topics related to the gender and labour issues. GEN's Acting Director also presented as a speaker at a panel discussion "Recommendations on Women's Labour Rights" and discussed about the current CEDAW implementation process, challenges and opportunities for the women labour rights movements.

On 11 May 2018, GEN Advisor and a Steering Committee member attended the meeting of the Myanmar Civil Society Partnership for Aid and Development Effectiveness (MCPAD) which was formed in December 2016 to promote participation of civil society in monitoring aid and development activities. A Steering Committee (SC) consisting of 15 organizations were elected at the meeting and GEN was elected as a SC member and to serve as focal for Mandalay and Kachin.

On 17 May 2018, GEN Advisor represented GEN at the dedicated session with Ms. Laura Cecilia Londen, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director (Management) of UNFPA together with Mr. Bjorn Andersson, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Regional Office (Bangkok) and discussed about the challenges faced by women leaders in Myanmar and gaps in laws and policies for gender based violence and women empowerment in Myanmar. She also discussed about the collaboration with UN agencies especially in implementing NSPAW and Myanmar National Committee for Women through the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Development Partners Group.

On 19 May 2018, GEN Advisor participated in the meeting with Mr. Mark Green, USAID Administrator and discussed about the shrinkage in civic space and highlighted challenging issues regarding women's economic and political participation and inadequate laws to protect women in Myanmar.

Information Sharing

Applications for the Master of Public Health (MPH) (2019-2020) from the BRAC JPG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MPH International are now open. The last date of international application is August 31, 2018.

Download MPH Flyer,

Download JPG School Public Health 2019 Prospectus International

Featured Resource

Service Provision for Gender-Based Violence Survivors in Myanmar is now available to Download in Myanmar and English Languages.

Download English Version Download Myanmar Version

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Myanmar