Mingalarbar!
Welcome to the August 2018 Edition of the GEN Monthly Newsletter! August was a productive month occupied by youth forums, working group meetings and CSO capacity assessment workshops - particularly GEN’s organisation development workshop. More exciting things are coming up next and September will be full of activities as well.
We always request a GEN member, friend or staff to provide some insight into their participation with GEN. This month, Ma Tin Ma Ma Swe (Ratana Metta Organization), who actively participated in GEN's activities as a member, shared about her feelings and experience with GEN.
Tin Ma Ma Swe
First of all, I’d like to wish all the members of GEN a pleasant and happy moment!
It is my greatest pleasure to contribute my greeting words in the monthly newsletter of August 2018 as a representative of Ratana Metta Organization.Working as a part of GEN, I am grateful for a chance to exchange knowledge with GEN members, learn new things and gain happy experiences. In the future, I also hope to keep working with GEN while supporting GEN as much as I can. Thank you...
GEN's Highlights
CSO Capacity Assessment Workshops (Hpa An, Myitkyina and Mandalay)
The two-day CSO Capacity Assessment Workshops were conducted 4 times in August. 2 times in Hpa-An from 14th to 17th August, 1 time in Myit Kyi Na on 20th -21st August and 1 time in Mandalay on 23rd - 24th August. All the workshops were co-facilitated by GEN and DCA-NCA. The participants from the diverse CSOs joined the workshops; 38 people (11 M, 27 F) in Hpa-An, 15 people (5 M, 10 F) in Myit Kyi Na and 29 people (9 M, 20 F) in Mandalay. The CSO capacity assessment workshops were come up with the self reflection of the capacity strengths and needs of the CSOs. GEN and DCA-NCA will develop the CSO capacity building plan in the future based on the outcomes of the workshop.
GEN's Organisational Development Workshop
Gender Equality Network's 4-day organisational development workshop was held from 1st to 4th August at the meeting hall of Aureum Palace Hotel in Nyaung Shwe. GEN's steering committee members discussed GEN's ongoing tasks and policies together with CU staff. All GEN staff from Yangon and regional offices actively participated in the workshop.
Meeting with Karen State Minister and donation of 20 lakhs for Hpa An flood emergency
GEN is collaborating with the Regional Division of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, to undertake an assessment of 7 flood-affected townships in Kayin State to focus on women, girls and other vulnerable population. The results will be used for recovery program planning and rebuilding affected communities.
New Staff Orientation
9th and 10th August - 2-day GEN’s new staff orientation was conducted at GEN office with the participation of staff from Yangon and regional offices.
Engaging Men Working Group Meeting
10th August - The Engaging Men Working Group Meeting was held on 10th August at GEN’s office. Nine people (4 M, 5 F) attended the meeting. How EM will participate in GEN’s 10th Anniversar y, 16 days of Activism and whether EM’s logo and flyer should be renewed or upgraded were discussed.
PoVAW Law Advocacy Training
16th - 17th August - Gender Equality Network conducted a 2-day PoVAW Law Advocacy training on 15th and 16th August 2018 at the GEN office, facilitated by the Program Manager and Training Coordinator. Twenty-five people (4 M, 21 F) including GEN members and representatives from the partner organisations participated. Participants discussed violence against women, current laws and legislation and activities going forward to eradicate violence against women.
Gender and Labour Law Working Group Meeting
20th August 2018 - Gender and Labour Law Working Group Meeting was held on 20th August at the GEN office. 8 participants (8 F) including GEN staff reviewed the previous Gender and Labour Campaign which was held in July at UMFCCI and discussed the future advocacy plan for the Gender and Labour issues.
16 Days of Activism Working Group
23rd August - The first working group meeting for 16 Days of Activism was held at the GEN office. Twenty-three participants (4 M, 19 F) including GEN-CU staff and members discussed the activities going forward regarding the 16 days of activism, such as organising a film festival and distributing IEC materials.
GEN’s Internal Team Building
24th August - GEN’s internal team building was conducted through Friday fun and learning activity organised by the Program team for the first time on the afternoon of 24th August. GEN-CU staff worked in groups and played the games together under the instruction of organisers.
Data Assessment Workshop for Flood-affected Area
Data assessment workshop for flood-affected area in Kayin State and community-based disaster management training organised by Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Gender Equality Network, Myanmar Heart Development Organization and Karen State CSOs(Youths) was held at Danu Damaryone in Hpa An, Kayin State for two days from 27th to 28th August . Seventy-four people (52 M, 22 F) attended.
Meeting and Workshop attended by GEN's Representatives
Violence Against Women Action Plan Workshop
GEN-CU Program Manager participated in Violence Against Women Action Plan workshop on 7th August 2018 organised by Yangon Region Myanmar National Committee on Women (Yangon Region MNCW) at Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs’ Association (MWEA) office.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
GEN-CU Program Manager participated in the panel discussion of Indigenous Women and Peace, Security and Empowerment organised by IPEN Network on 9th August. Under that panel, she talked about Protection for women under current laws and policies in Myanmar.
Youth Development Fair (Mandalay)
GEN Director and Advisor together with U Aung Tun Khaing participated in the Youth Development Fair in Mandalay from 11th to 13th August 2018 organised by Mandalay Regional MNCW (Myanmar National Committee for Women). GEN Director participated as a moderator in the panel discussion on 12th August organised by Myanmar National Women Committee to discuss violence against women issues, legal framework and the need to develop new laws which are responsive to current situation and challenges faced by women and girls in Myanmar.
Tribute to Ma Mee Mee (88 Generation and Political Activist)
GEN Director and Advisor attended the funeral of prominent pro-democracy activist Ma Mee Mee (88 Generation Peace and Open Society) at Yay Way Cemetery in northern Yangon on 17th August.
International Youth Day (Hpa An)
GEN Director and Advisor participated in the celebration of the International Youth Day 2018 organised by youth network in Kayin State with the theme "Safe Spaces for Youth" held on 19th August 2018, in Hpa An. It was participated by about 600 youths representing both in-school and out-of-school youth. Panel discussions participated by government, parliamentarians, police, local authority and youth focused on how to ensure safety for youth in Kayin especially in urban areas. Entertainment and edutainment were the highlights of the event. The GEN Director participated in the motivation session to provide messages to youth on the importance of youth participation and engagement in development and ensuring an enabling environment for youth. GEN also organised an exhibition booth and publications were distributed as well.
Informal advocacy meeting with the Speaker of Karen State Hluttaw and DSW, Karen State together with LRC
The GEN Director and Advisor met with Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint, Minister, Kayin, on 20th August 2018, to discuss gender issues and explain about GEN's program in Myanmar and especially highlighting the program in Kayin state. GEN also donated humanitarian assistance fund for the flood-affected population in Kayin.
Informal Meeting with Chair of Bill Committee together with Colors Rainbow regarding Penal Code Amendment
GEN Director and Advisor together with representatives from Colours Rainbow met with the Chairperson of Bill Committee, U Khin Maung Win, in an informal meeting on 21st August 2018, to discuss about the need to revise Penal Code 375 and 377 to be addressed in the current process to revise certain sections in the Penal Code and also to refer to the recent Youth Policy that had been adopted. Guidance and advice were received on how to proceed formally on these matters.
Gender and Gender-based Violence Training
GEN's Technical Advisor, U Aung Tun Khine, provided training on Gender and Gender-based Violence to the members of Yangon Region Committee on Women at the Yangon Region DSW office on 28th August 2018.
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