Mingalarbar!

Welcome to the January 2021 Edition of the GEN Monthly Newsletter. January marks the beginning of a fresh new year and GEN would like to send all the best wishes to everyone. We hope that 2021 brings us vaccines and restores normality.

Every month, we request a GEN member, or SC members or GEN-CU staff to provide a greeting letter that reveals how being part of GEN impacts their lives. This month, we request Sayar Maria Bawk Ja, a newly elected SC member from Kachin Women Peace Network, an active NGO/CSO member of GEN, to share her thoughts and experience with GEN.

My name is Maria Bawk Ja. I have been getting involved in the CSOs for almost 10 years. Currently, I’m working as a Program Coordinator at Kachin Women Peace Network (KWPN). Our organization focuses on women’s capacity building, research and advocacy.

It has been a long time that I know GEN as an organization working for gender equality. I have learned more about GEN’s structure and operation through attending the monthly meetings and other activities as a focal of KWPN. I’m glad to be part of GEN which is a network of diverse organizations that want justice. I believe that this collective strength and cooperation is conducive to obtaining gender equality and justice in Myanmar. I am proud to have been elected as an SC of GEN in 2021 and I am eager to contribute my participation. I would like to conclude by saying “Let’s fill the gaps of the country with our collective effort”.

GEN’s Highlights

EU Project

In order to enhance Myanmar Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Local Authorities (LAs) contribution to good governance and development processes that promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, GEN has initiated the EU project in the areas of Kachin State, Kayin State, Mandalay Region and Shan State through regional offices since February 2018 with the funding of the European Union (EU). This is the last month of the EU project and there were many inspiring achievements when we looked back on the other hands, we had to say good-bye to the EU staff sadly.

Throughout the project, a series of workshops, trainings, meetings were taken placed via online and off-line, several resources; books and videos in the ethnic languages were able to be produced. Moreover, the Gender Resource Center were established and Mobile Application for better accessibility of resources was launched.

As the overall achievements, there were improvement in the attitudes of LAs and CSOs to gender-inclusive governance at the subnational level, surged capacity and knowledge of stakeholders, created space for sharing ideas and perspectives among stakeholders, improved the relationship and engagement between CSOs & LAs and better networking among CSOs as well.
Heartfelt congratulations to all EU projects staff and best wishes for your next adventure.

End of Action Workshops

In order to evaluate the EU project, the End of Action Workshops were carried out with the stakeholders of the project in the four project areas – Kachin, Kayin, Shan and Mandalay - via Zoom in January. As the stakeholders, the Members of Parliament, the Social Minister, General Administrative Department and representatives of the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), the representatives of State Women’s Committee Members, the representatives of CSOs and EU delegation attended the workshop. Although the workshops were held virtually, the participants were actively engaged in every discussion regardless of technical issue. The participants appreciated the activities of the project and mentioned the benefits they gained through the project. Also, they provide the suggestion and constructive feedback for the future project. GEN’s Director joined and provided the objectives of the workshops of EU project end of action held with GEN's Regional Team on 12 January (Mandalay), on 15 January (Shan), on 19 January (Karen) and on 21 January (Kachin). GEN's SMT attended the EU project evaluation workshop on January 28 and 29 to review lesson learn and feedback of 3 years EU funded project together with staffs who have directly involved. Overall, the stakeholders showed the positive remarks on the project and urged to continue the same nature of project. The voices of the beneficiaries of the project can be heard in the documentary videos mentioned in the Featured Resource of the Newsletter.

GEN’s support in Others’ work

National Education Strategic Plan Consultation Meeting

On January 6, GEN's Director joined National Education Strategic Plan consultation meeting by zoom. The consultation meeting was opened by Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye, MSWRR and Union Minister Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, MoE and attended by more than 660 participants that include Deputy Ministers, Social Ministers from all States & Regions as well as DGs and other levels from Ministries.

Women & Culture talkshow

On 22 January, GEN's Director joined as a speaker at Women & Culture talkshow organized by Shayi Channel/Women Media, KWPN by zoom. She shared about Socialization on Women and Culture, Gender Discrimination and Different Cultures of different countries and different eras. The Talkshow lasted almost an hour and a half and nearly 7,000 people watched the talkshow on social media.

Sharing Meeting

On 26 January, GEN's Director shared a presentation with the embassies of Sweden, Netherlands, UK, and Australia to introduce about GEN and PSF funded "Voices hard to be heard" project. A total of 30 participants attended.

Experience Sharing at AIT Road Show

On 31 January, GEN's Director shared her experiences in AIT Road Show live as alumina.

Gender Equality and Women Empowerment - Development Partners Group meeting

14 January 2021- GEN's Advisor participated in the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment - Development Partners Group meeting to discuss about the results of the recent elections using gender perspectives. Presentation was made by a representative of Phan Tee Eain. Also discussed was the status of PoVAW law and way forward and strategy for advocacy with new government and discussed the TORs for the new Strategic Coordination Groups as issued under the 2020 Development Assistance Policy.

Now and the future: Gender Equality, Peace and Security in the COVID-19 world research sharing

On 18 January, GEN's Director joined Now and the future: Gender Equality, Peace and Security in the COVID-19 world research sharing organised by ActionAid Myanmar and Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF) with zoom. The event is an interactive discussion around the key findings and recommendations from 10 Countries project explored the impact of COVID-19 on gender equality, peace and security to better respond to COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Consultation meeting of the CSOs

26 January 2020 – GEN Participated in the consultation meeting of the CSOs to provide input to the "Environmental and Social Commitment Plan" and the" Stakeholder Engagement Strategy" developed by the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry as part of the public consultation for the project on "Myanmar Modernization of Public FinnFinancial Management Project".

3 days Federal Training

GEN’s Director, Head of Program, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Training team and Steering Committee member joined 3 days Federal Training organized by CEDAW Alliance Myanmar from 21-23 January.

Featured Resource

EU Project Activity of GEN

We’d like to proudly present the project documentary of "Empowered Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Promoting Gender Equality in Myanmar" project funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by Gender Equality Network and DCA NCA in Kachin State, Mandalay Division, Southern Shan State and Kayin State starting from 2018. All of the thanks go to the Department of Social Welfare, Relevant Government Departments, Parliaments of State and Division, Implementing CSO Partners and we would like to respectfully express our gratitude for your contribution and cooperation.

Youtube Link - https://youtu.be/ARvd7EbJ6Lw

Website Link - https://www.genmyanmar.org/video_and_animations/26