Mingalarbar!
Welcome to the August 2019 Edition of the GEN Monthly Newsletter! In August, GEN organised two major events: Book Launch Ceremony of new publications and PSHEA Policy Launch. As the field activities, representatives of GEN went to different states and regions together with May Doe Kabar Network to raise awareness about PoVAW law.
We always request a GEN member, friend or staff to provide some insight into their participation with GEN. This month, we request FXB Myanmar which is an active GEN member to share their feelings and experience with GEN.
Mingalarbar!
I’m Dr Kyaw Linn Tun, a program manager of FXB Myanmar since 2016. Ever since I started working for FXB, I’ve become a family member of GEN. So, it’s been three years. As a GEN member and a representative of my organization, I participated in the community mobilization movements of GEN such as the International Women’s Day and 16 Days activities and other processes related to gender. What I like about GEN the most is that it is a strong network which gathers the CSO, CBO, NGOs, and INGOs working towards the promotion of gender equality in different areas. It is a symbol of “Unity in Diversity’ and I’m always proud to be part of GEN.
As FXB Myanmar, we have been working on different sectors such as health, education, vocational training and giving humanitarian aid in Myanmar for 26 years since our inception in 1993. Gender equality is one of the objectives of our organisation and we will keep working hand in hand with GEN for many years.
GEN's Highlights
GEN’s Director delivered a special talk on Gender and Public Policy at the MPA class of Yangon University of Economics, Kamayut on 29th July 2019. The talk was attended by about 30 MPA Students and they raised interesting questions during the Q & A session. (LIFT)
Gender Equality Network successfully held the book launching ceremony of new publications on 1st August 2019 at Melia Hotel in Yangon - (1) Transformative Women Leaders (Part 2) highlighting the significant contributions of women role models working in different sectors in society. Their lived experiences and challenges faced as women in Myanmar society. (2) CEDAW publication in different languages to promote a better understanding of CEDAW provisions. Invited guests including GEN members, donor organizations, development partners, embassies, and media attended. A panel discussion named “Women and Glass Ceiling” was conducted as the highlight of this ceremony which was followed by the Q and A session. (LIFT)
Gender Equality Network successfully held the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (PSHEA) Policy Launch on 21st August 2019 at Melia Hotel in Yangon. The aim of this launch is to introduce the PSHEA Policy which is an internal policy practised by Gender Equality Network. Invited guests including the representatives from the government, GEN members, embassies, development partners, media and suppliers attended the event. As the highlight of this policy launch, GEN-CU staff performed a role-play comprised of three parts to clarify the definition of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse and to present procedures on responding the PSHEA cases. (LIFT)
16 Days working group meeting is held today on 22nd August 2019 at GEN’s Resource Center. Working groups members discussed the key activities for the upcoming campaign, theme, IEC materials distribution and shared the planned activities of their own organizations. (IDRC)
Gender Equality Network and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement co-organized the three-day life skill training at the training hall of Hotel Memory in Sittwe, Rakhine State from 19th to 21st August 2019. 35 participants (11 M, 24 F) from different schools in Rakhine State attended the training and learned how to effectively use social media and gender-related knowledge. (LIFT)
On 21st August 2019, GEN with the Consultant and members of the Steering Committee reviewed the outcome of a series of discussions relating to the Organization Development (OD) of GEN before finalizing the OD document for enhancing the effectiveness of GEN Coordination Unit and its network. (LIFT)
Gender Equality Network and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement co-organized the two-day Gender Responsive Budgeting workshop at the hall of Hotel Memory in Rakhine State from 21st to 22nd August 2019. 34 participants (20 M, 14 F) from different departments in Rakhine State attended the workshop and discussed how gender budgeting can be incorporated into different sectors. (LIFT)
On 23rd August 2019, GenderEquality Network team met with the Speaker of Kachin State Hluttaw on 23rd August 2019 at their meeting room and presented the work GEN is undertaking and the upcoming project activities in the field areas. It was such a cordial meeting and the GEN team received guidance from the Speaker. (EU)
On 27th– 28th August 2019, GEN as Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group on Mainstreaming organized in Nay Pyi Taw, two Task Force meetings (i) development of Gender Module for government officials; and (ii) Gender Analysis Check List during the two days meeting of the Taskforce members. (LIFT)
Gender Equality Network conducted the Gender and Media workshop with the officials and staff of MRTV on Aug 28th and 29th 2019 at Thingaha Hotel in Naypyidaw. GEN Director addressed an opening speech and the workshop mainly focused on Gender, Stereotype, Power, Gender Mainstreaming, and the role of media for social change. 11 Male and 24 Female participants from MRTV attended and actively discussed the gender-integrated work plan at the end of the workshop. (LIFT)
PoVAW Advocacy Meetings with May Doe Kabar Network
During August, GEN led in conducting awareness-raising on gender-based violence (GBV) for members of May Doe Kabar network in nine different places. The events were attended by the local authorities and women CSO representatives. These forums provided a space for participants to discuss the GBV issues, the inadequacy of existing laws to prevent and protect the affected individuals and drawing up actions for future interventions. Group discussions resulted in identifying some effective measures that can be applied to address these issues at the local level. (LIFT)
Meetings and Workshops attended as GEN's Representatives
29th July 2019 - Director of GEN-CU, Daw May Sabe Phyu, attended the second day of Myanmar LGBT Rights Network Annual Forum 2019 which was held at Excel Treasure Hotel on 29th July 2019. This two-day forum was held on 28th and 29th July and LGBT representatives from LGBT Rights Network, LGBT organizations, activists for LGBT rights, donor organizations, UN organizations and CSOs attended the forum. On the first day, topics such as LGBT and Education, Health, Employment, Gender and Lesbian Issue were discussed and on the second day, a panel discussion named “Justice and protection for all” was conducted in which the Director of GEN-CU participated as a panelist.
5th August 2019 - A meeting was organized between GEN Director, Daw May Sabe Phyu, and responsible persons from BCGE (Business Coalition for Gender Equality). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future collaboration in the coming years.
5th August 2019 - Director of Gender Equality Network presented about GEN at INGO Forum. In her presentation, she shared the background information, objectives, challenges, success and current work areas of GEN. Attended INGO representatives actively engaged in GEN presentation with questions and comments. Some INGOs show their interest to apply GEN members and some have interests to collaborate in the future.
6th August 2019 - Director of GEN-CU, Daw May Sabe Phyu, had a consultation meeting with CSOs from Northern Shan State who are working to bring about justice for a murder case of women in Shan State. She consulted and provided guidance for advocacy process to the representatives that involved in the meeting who were from the Kachin Literature and Culture Organization, Ta-ang Women Organization, Women Peace and Security for Shan State Organization and NeT Organization.
9th August 2019 - GEN Director, Daw May Sabe Phyu, met with SRSG representative at UNFPA Meeting Room.
9th August 2019 – GEN's national consultant joined Working Group meeting for protection of Domestic Worker at Legal Clinic Myanmar Office in Sanchaung. Working group member discussed the future plan on advocacy-related to domestic worker's right. Women organizations, legal organizations and labour organizations are the member of the working group. The meeting was held for launching events in Yangon and Mandalay for a publication on legal analysis related to existing laws and ILO convention number (C189).
11th August 2019 - GEN Director attended UPDJC Working Committee Women Leaders Informal Meeting which is organized by AGIPP at Best Western Green Hill Hotel. At the meeting, women from UPDJC working committee, facilitators and technical supporters reviewed the current peace process from the perspectives of women and discussed how to strengthen their engagement and collaborations among women leaders. Topics regarding with challenges of women involvement in the peace process, overcoming the stalled peace process from the perspectives of women, fostering engagement among women leaders involved in the formal and informal peace process and providing psychosocial support for women leaders participated in the informal peace process are discussed.
15th– 17th August 2019 - GEN Director attended the AGIPP's 3rd Quarterly Steering Committee Meeting at Western Green Hill Hotel. That SC meeting was attended by the SC members from AGIPP's alliance partner and secretariat team. Quarterly reporting and the planning of upcoming activities were presented by AGIPP's Secretariat team. Additionally, AGIPP Steering Committee (SC) members shared their current activities and reviewed AGIPP’ policies.
17th August 2019 - GEN Director participated in the “Gender Policy Consultation Workshop” organised by the Myanmar Institute of Theology.
19th August 2019 - GEN Director and the Head of Program met with Dr. Khin Soe Soe Kyi, chairman of Women and Children Affairs Committee, Pyithu Hluttaw. During the meeting, current work plans of GEN, which are related to PoVAW Laws, women empowerment & leadership and gender-responsive budgeting, are discussed.
29th August 2019 - GEN’s research findings on “Raising the Curtain: Cultural Norms, Social Practices and Gender Equality in Myanmar” was presented at the “Gender Brownbag: Learning and Discussion Event” at the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for further understanding of social and cultural norms in Myanmar and the impact for men and women in relation to family and community life, work, health and education.