Mingalarbar!

Welcome to the October 2018 Edition of the GEN Monthly Newsletter... October is a special month because of Thadingyut festival aka the Lighting Festival of Myanmar. GEN also celebrated the festival by paying homage to our elders.

We always request a GEN member, friend or staff to provide some insight into their participation with GEN. This month, Dr Hlaing Bwa (World Vision Myanmar), who actively participated in GEN's activities as a member, shared about his feelings and experience with GEN.

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 October 2018. I’m glad to be involved in the GEN network while working against gender-based discrimination and violence.

My heart sinks whenever I hear about violence against children especially young girls. I believe that collaboration between GEN and other NGOs, INGOs and CSOs is critical in handling these issues affecting children and women. Moreover, I’m glad that I have a chance to learn about CEDAW, NESPAW and PoVAW from GEN. Likewise, it is undeniable that the readily availability of research papers about gender is the fruit of having the GEN network.

I hope to keep collaborating with GEN with World Vision and as an individual. It is very promising that despite hindrances, hurdles and difficulties to achieve something, GEN members are determined and encourage each other.

Finally, I wish that GEN members will overcome all the obstacles and reach the goal which is to attain gender equality in all areas.

GEN’s Highlights

16 Days of Activism Working Group Meeting (Mandalay)

16 Days of Activism working group meeting was held on 17th October 2018 in Mandalay for the first time at GEN’s office with the participation of CSOs.

Workshop on Legal Framework on the Prevention of Violence Against Women

GEN conducted a workshop on Legal Framework on the Prevention of Violence Against Women on today 29th October 2018 at Park Royal Hotel. Members attended and Ma Yee Mon Tun (Instructor, Human Rights Clinic, Harvard Law School) acted as a facilitator. Attendees discussed sexual harassment (protection order), child rape, statutory rape, the advantages and weaknesses of PoVAW law.

Meetings and Workshops attended by GEN’s representatives

Meeting with Directors and Deputy Directors from various departments under Ministry of Home Affairs at Myanmar Police Forces office in Nay Pyi Taw (2nd October 2018)

Municipal Accountability, Governance and Inclusive Communities (MAGIC) Project

GEN Advisor participated in the launching workshop of EU-funded project on “Municipal Accountability, Governance and Inclusive Communities (MAGIC)” Project in Chin State and Tanintharyi Region, held on 3th October 2018 at Lotte Hotel. GEN Advisor presented on “Gender Mainstreaming in Policy Development and Governance at National and Subnational Levels” focusing on the need to link to national mechanism such as the “National Strategic Plan on the Advancement of Women, 2013-2022”.

Guidelines on Health Care Response for Gender Based Violence (GBV) Survivors

GEN Advisor participated in the Opening Session of the Dissemination Workshop on “Guidelines on Health Care Response for Gender Based Violence (GBV) Survivors”, held in Naypyitaw on 4th October 2018. The three-day workshop was organized from 4th to 6th October for health service providers from all states and divisions to learn about the new guidelines for application in GBV response cases.

Fifth Annual Union-Level Stakeholder Review of Myanmar National Community-Driven Development Project

GEN Advisor participated in the “Fifth Annual Union-Level Stakeholder Review of Myanmar National Community-Driven Development Project”, held in Naypyitaw on 5th October 2018. The event was attended by over 500 participants representing the government representatives from the union and state level, donors, development partners, civil society and parliamentarians.

GEN Director Joined AGIPP’s Annual General Meeting in Ngwe Saung Beach (3nd - 5th Oct 2018)

Violence Against Women and Girls Technical Working Group Meeting

GEN steering committee member, Daw Sanda Thant and National Consultant, Daw Su Su Nge attended the technical Working group meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 8th October. The meeting was chaired by the Department of Social Welfare from MSWRR and co-chaired by Akayar Women Organization.

Meeting of the Technical Working Groups for implementation of the NSPAW

GEN Director and Advisor participated in the meeting of the Technical Working Groups for implementation of the NSPAW at the office of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on 9th October 2018.

CEDAW Alliance Meeting in Myitkyina

CEDAW Alliance (GEN+WON+WLB+CAM) met with the parliamentarians from Kachin State Hluttaw on CEDAW and their role in CEDAW implementation. Hluttaw Vice President attended the advocacy event and provided opening speech on behalf of Hluttaw on 10th October 2018. There was a fruitful discussion among participants and the workshop was successfully over in the evening.

GEWE CG Meeting

GEN’s director attended GEWE CG meeting in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning of 11th October 2018.

Meeting with Union Minister, Ministry of Labor and Immigrations

GEN’s director met with the Union Minister, Ministry of Labour and Immigrations in Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon of 11th October 2018.

Fiscal Federalism Consultation Workshop at Park Royal hotel jointly organized by Salween Institute, AGIPP & WLB (16th -18th Oct 2018)

Gender Equality and Women Empowerment – Development Partners Group (GEWE-DPG) Meeting

GEN Advisor participated in the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment – Development Partners Group (GEWE-DPG) meeting held at UNDP office on 17th October 2018 to review the gender-related indicators in the Myanmar National Sustainable Plan (MSDP), 2013-2030.

Speak at Launching ceremony of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuses (PSEA) Policy at Summit Parkview Hotel organized by Metta (17th Oct 2018)

EUD Implementing Partners Meeting

GEN's director joined EUD Implementing Partners Meeting at EU office on 18th October 2018.

Validation Workshop on Gender Sensitive Guidelines to Cost Services for EVAW and to Monitor and Evaluate Service Delivery on EVAW

GEN Advisor participated in the “Validation Workshop on Gender Sensitive Guidelines to Cost Services for EVAW and to Monitor and Evaluate Service Delivery on EVAW”, held in Yangon at Rose Garden Hotel on 26th October 2018.

Training to Ethnic Armed Organization (EAO) on gender based violence in collaboration with KNWO

GEN National Consultant Daw Su Su Nge provided a training to ethnic armed organization (EAO) on gender-based violence in collaboration with KNWO (Karenni National Women’s Organization) on 13th and 14th October 2018 in Ywar Thit Village, Bawlakhae Township, Loikaw with 32 participants. The training was given to 1005 Tat. Participants actively discussed in the group work and present their views openly.

EUD Implementing Partners Meeting

GEN's director joined EUD Implementing Partners Meeting at EU office on 18th October 2018

Validation Workshop on Gender Sensitive Guidelines to Cost Services for EVAW and to Monitor and Evaluate Service Delivery on EVAW

Training to Ethnic Armed Organization (EAO) on gender based violence in collaboration with KNWO

Baseline Survey on Gender and Local Governance by Gender Equality Network funded by European Union

GEN carried out a baseline study in Mandalay, Taunggyi, Myittkyina and Sittwe on the second week of October. Survey team met with State/Region Minister of Social Welfare, Regional Parliamentarians, MNCWA members at local levels, CSOs working at the townships above and General Administration Departments.

Trip to Sittwe to meet with local authorities for organizing Forever White Ribbon Film Festival in Sittwe

GEN Director, Advisor and Consultant fielded a mission to Sittwe, Rakhine from 29th to 31st October 2018, to have a courtesy call with local authorities, related government departments and to assess the feasibility of organizing Forever White Ribbon film festival to mark the 16 Days of Activism. GEN met with Rakhine State Minister U Nyi Pu, Rakhine State Secretary U Nyi Nyi Min, Chair of Rakhine State Women’s Affairs Daw Phyu Phyu Khine.