Ousting of a female civilian leader through a military coup and the declaration of a year-long emergency, in the early hours of February 1st has led thousands of protesters to turn out in the streets of Myanmar. However, the military has lashed out with a violent crack-down killing at least 61 non-violent protesters since the coup. As reported by Christine Schraner Burgener, the U.N special envoy for Myanmar that the police and the military killed an additional 38 protesters on March 4th.
These extrajudicial killings also include children and women. Highlighted by the death of a 20-year old Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who was shot in the head by the violent security forces. Rights advocates have scathingly attacked these adversities. Michelle Bachelet, a top Human Rights officer at the U.N remarked that “Myanmar’s military must stop murdering and jailing protesters”, that “it is abhorrent that security forces are firing live ammunition against the peaceful protesters”.
Women are at the forefront of this anti-coup movement and have sent out powerful rebuke to the military. With hundreds of thousands of women representing teachers, medical workers, garment workers and also house-wives taking over the streets. As reported by the International Civil society Action Network (ICAN) that, Mye Sabe Phyu, Director of the Gender Equality Network (GEN) and the member of Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) has sent out a strong message saying “we are resisting the coup and will fight back until we die’. GEN and WASL are some of the leading organisations working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in Myanmar. Its members, most of them consisting of women have increasingly taken part in the protests. However, the systematic crackdown upon the civil society members has halted their work. To which these women activists have refuted telling Open Democracy in an interview that such terrorising would not deter them and that their revolution is “unstoppable”.
Women have always been afoot calling out the junta for trampling upon the democratic voices in the state. They have often challenged the imposition of the patriarchal order that has suppressed their voices for more than half a century. “Women has never been the military agenda. In their view, the role of women is to preserve culture and religion.” explained Phyuin an interview with Open Democracy. She further added that “Women are standing at the front leading the protests, which makes us proud.”
Female medical volunteers have patrolled the streets of Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and other major cities tending the wounded and dying protesters. A 28-year-old medical doctor told the New York Times, “young women are now leading the protests because we have a maternal nature and we cannot let the next generation be destroyed”. She also said, “We do not care about our lives. We care about our future generations.”
A passion has ignited in the citizens of Myanmar across cultures and religions. Hence, despite the brutality leashed by the military, the movement has become far more diverse. Where women are playing an essential role in strategizing and engaging people in a peaceful protest across the country.
Burmese Women’s Organisation, as one of the leading civil society organisations, is keeping vigilance over the fake news spreading and any sort of torture, sexual violence or harassment against the protesting women. Tin Tin Nyo, a veteran women’s activist and member of the Organisation, who has been supporting and leading the demonstrations. Told in an interview with Open Democracy that the participation of women from all the walks of life, especially of young women is unprecedented. More than 50% of the disobedience members are women, who regardless of the risks are determined to abolish the coup.
The rule of the junta in Myanmar reveals a perilous side of the situation of women in the country. They consist of more than half of the population yet, their voices are ignored and their political participation and representation in the decision-making process are minimal. The civilian government by the National League for Democracy, though led by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, was majorly dominated by men, most of them sitting in powerful positions. Hence, with the resumption of military rule women has the most loose. As the five years of regime of a civilian government led by a woman leader, had given hope to half of the population of the country, which otherwise was considered docile.
The nation-wide stir thus has given women an opportunity to display their valorous stand against the discrimination faced by them at the hands of the military. They have taken over the reins of the protests actively demonstrating, and engaging in creative and yet peaceful ways of organising resistance.
The movement is becoming more unified each day with robust support from women and civil society organisations working for their cause. These organisations are reinforcing local civilians and are writing to various international institutions for assistance. As reported by the International Civil society Action Network(ICAN) that the Gender Equality Network (GEN) along with locals and other women’s activist’s network has written an open letter for the ASEAN Chair, Brunei and has also sought support from Indonesian Embassy.
Dr Miemie Winn Byrd, a Burmese American who served as a lieutenant colonel in United States Army, while speaking to New York Times said “Even though these are dark days and my heart breaks with all the images of bloodshed. I’m more optimistic because I see women on the street”. She further added that “In this context, I put my money on the women. They are unarmed but are the true warriors.”
