Mingalarbar!
Welcome to the December 2018 Edition of the GEN Monthly Newsletter! We are saying goodbye to 2018 and looking forward to 2019. Forever White Ribbon Film Festival Closing and Award Ceremony and GEN’s Members’ Assembly took place in December. GEN family celebrated Christmas party happily at the office. Wishing each and every one of you happy new year and hope you have a great year ahead.
We always request a GEN member, friend or staff to provide some insight into their participation with GEN. This month, we requested Ko Tin Ko Ko, who recently became GEN’s SC member, to shared his feelings and experience with GEN.
Mingalarbar…
Warmest greetings to all of you!
I’m Tin Ko Ko from Kings N Queens LGBT Organization. I have connected with the Gender Equality Network in 2012 through a public campaign which was conducted to eliminate violence against women. Initially, I participated in the role plays which educate the public to reduce violence against women. In 2018, I am elected as a steering committee member of GEN. I will keep trying to promote the rights of LGBT while working together with GEN. I’ll also urge GEN to consider the role of LGBT in every activity. Let me conclude by saying that I will cooperate with other partner organizations towards gender equality.
GEN’s Highlights
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival (Myitkyinar)
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival which is part of 16 Days of Activism was successfully held on 2nd December 2018 (Sunday) at Kachin National Manau Park in Myitkyina. Chairperson from Kachin Hluttaw gave the opening speech, booth shows were displayed and the selected documentaries and short films of Forever White Ribbon Film Festival were screened to the public.
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival (Sittwe)
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival which is part of 16 Days of Activism was successfully held on 7th December 2018 (Friday) at U Ottama hall in Sittwe. Government representative U Mg Mg from the Information and Public Relations Department of Rakhine State gave the opening speech. Booth shows were displayed and the selected documentaries and short films of Forever White Ribbon Film Festival were screened to the public.
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival (Hpa An)
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival which is part of 16 Days of Activism was successfully held on 8th December 2018 (Saturday) at Zwe Ka Bin Hall in Hpa An. Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation U Saw Myint Oo and National Adviser from GEN gave the opening speech, the selected documentaries and short films of Forever White Ribbon Film Festival were screened to the public.
Forever White Ribbon Film Festival Closing and Award Ceremony
Closing and award ceremony of the Forever White Ribbon Film Festival which was held in Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi, Hpa An, Myitkynar and Sittwe took place on 11th December 2018 at Pan Pacific Hotel in Yangon. Invited guests, actors, selected filmmakers, juries attended the ceremony. Unsilent Potato by Sein Lyan Tun won the documentary film award and People’s Choice Award. Buffalo Boy by Mai Ah Nway won the short film award.
NSPAW (Nation Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women) and Gender Instrument TOT Training
NSPAW (Nation Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women) and Gender Instrument TOT Training was conducted for four days from 11th to 14th December at Parami Hotel by Gender Equality Network. Around 37 people (6 M, 28 F) including CSO representatives from Mandalay, Myitkyina, Hpa An and Taunggyi, DCA NCA and representatives from GEN attended and certificates were also awarded.
GEN’s Members’ Assembly
Gender Equality Network’s Members’ Assembly was conducted for two days from 17th to 18th December at Dwarrawady Hall in Thandwe in Rakhine State. On 17th December, participants discussed ToR of GEN, GEN’s membership requirements, criteria, categories, Code of Conduct, Process after approval and Conditions for termination. On 18th December, Governance (SC Criteria, SC ComposItion, Co-Chair), Strategies for Sustainability of GEN, Structure of CU & Policy Highlights, Future Plans, Draft PSEA Policy and other necessary policies were discussed. Participants were assigned to do group works and presented their views and opinions.
Public Campaign
With the participation of Local Resource Center, GEN organized a public campaign using motor cycle and cars with messages on placards in Hpa An on 9th December 2018. The motorcade campaign was led by the police cycles and government departments to promote safer city for women and girls and to eliminate violence against women as part of the16 Days of Activism 2018.
Meetings and Workshops attended by GEN’s representatives
1st December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the first ever 16 Days of Activism as a resource person at Hpa Kant organized by Kachin National Development Foundation which was attended by more than 700 participants (F 658, M 47).
2nd December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the Forever White Ribbon Film Festival in Myikyina, Manau Park, Kachin State.
4th December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the first ever 16 Days of Activism as a resource person at Lone Khinn organized byKachin Women Union (KWU).
4th– 5th December 2018 – GEN’s advisor participated in the workshop on "Safe and Equal at Workplaces” organized by Fair Wear Foundation, ITC-ILO, Myanmar Garment Manufacturers' Association with the cooperation by CARE Myanmar and Gender Equality Network. GEN’s advisor talked about gender, gender equality and gender issue at the work place especially in garment factory. Total 30 participants holding the managerial positions including HR managers from 30 factories attended and participated in the discussions actively. Participants learned about gender equality, gender-based violence and sexual harassment at workplaces and discussed about the immediate actions and long-term plan for development of workplace policy, awareness raising and effective reporting systems. Participants also received the certificate of attendance by ITC-ILO after the workshop.
7th December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the Forever White Ribbon Film Special Screening in Sittwe, U Ottama Hall, Rakhine State.
8th December 2018 – GEN’s Director joined the TV talk show at Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Marriage Age, Customary laws and Draft Child Rights Law.
8th December 2018 – GEN’s Director joined on air by the Voice of America (VOA) on Human Rights Situations in Myanmar.
9th December 2018 – GEN’s Director joined the AGIPP’s SC meeting at Chatrium Hotel.
9th December 2018 – GEN’s Director joined and gave the speech at Women's League of Burma’s 19th Anniversary at Inya Lake Hotel.
11th December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the Forever White Ribbon Film Festival Closing and Award Ceremony at Pan Pacific Hotel.
17th & 18th December 2018 – GEN’s Director attended the GEN’S Members’ Assembly in Ngapali Beach.