News coverage about women has weakened after the coup

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The inclusion of women’s voices in the media about politics and armed conflicts have weakened after the military coup in Myanmar, women’s rights activists and journalists said at an online talk titled “The news coverage by ethnic media about women, peace and conflicts” organized by the Burma News International (BNI) on 24 August.

Daw Mi Sue Pwint, the founder and advisor to the Burmese Women’s Union said: “Now, women organizations which are working uprightly on women, peace and security affairs remain weak. The media still has many weaknesses.”

Women’s rights activists say that currently the country lacks rule of law, and the safety of women is of the highest concern.

According to the list of the Burmese Women’s Union, 3,647 women have been unjustly punished by the military council due to the anti-coup movement.

Women rights activist Ma Mee Chay said: “At present, female participation in women, peace and security affairs is really weak. The biggest challenge is that safety makes it very difficult for women to take a leadership role.”

Journalists say that when women are interviewed about military and politics, they do not dare to give interviews because of the security concern, and that there are difficulties in promoting the inclusion of women’s voices in the media.

A reporter based in Arakan State said: “We want to cover the news about men and women. However, now that there is no freedom of expression, most people don’t want to be interviewed. We repeatedly ask only those who dare to give an interview.”
From February 2021 to July 2023, more than 100 women were sexually assaulted by the military council forces in the conflict-affected areas, according to the Women’s League of Burma (WLB).

Sam Naw, Chief Editor of Kachin News Group (KNG) said: “The media only covers the news about the current livelihood and health situations of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs). On the other hand, women’s rights are difficult until the revolution is over while the livelihood and health issues are being solved.”

Political stability and stronger laws protecting women are needed to promote their capacity in women, peace and conflict affairs.

Sent by Aung Htein

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