The impact of NGO interventions on the empowerment of women in rural communities in Myanmar

The Gender SAR Workshop I 15-16 November 2018, Hanoi, Vietnam

Thi Thi Nyunt, Thaw Ni Ni Zaw, Dr. Romana Roschinsky & Dr. Julian PriorMyLife project - University of New England

MyLife project

ü Strengthening institutional capacity, extension servicesand rural livelihoods in the Central Dry Zone andAyeyarwaddy Delta regions of Myanmar

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Partners:

Funding:

MyLife women’s empowerment research questions

Impact of NGO interventions on women’s empowerment?üDo women share knowledge they gain through

project activities?üWhich factors contribute to the leadership of

women? üWhich factors constitute discrimination against

women? üDo NGOs contribute to a change in gender roles?

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NGO Partners• CESVI Myanmar: Shae Thoth program

• SHWE INN THU: Women Self-help Group

• NAG: Improving market opportunities for women

(-Inclusive and Equitable Governance

through Woman Empowerment Program)

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Data collection

11/21/18 ACIAR Gender SAR Workshop 15-16 November 2018, Hanoi, Vietnam

Staff interviews (community facilitators CESVI) 192 Individual interviews men and women (Daw San San Htae)

20 Focus Group Discussions Kobo collect supported

5

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

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SHWE INN THU (SIT)• Since 2009, Nyaung Shwe (around Inle Lake)

– women’s empowerment– democratic governance– health– livelihoods

• Women self-help groups (saving)• community banks (rice, livestock, agriculture,

education)• Capacity building (gender awareness, governance,

technical)• 3- 5 years in one community (remain engaged after

phase out)

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SIT: women disseminate knowledge?

• Inside and outside the household• Women are confident to share knowledge with men

(e.g. health care, gender equality)• Agriculture, livestock management, health care,

education, gender equality• Farm work, social visits, social welfare

(e.g. donation ceremonies, weddings), monastery

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SIT: women’s leadership

• Leadership experience social empowerment increases (e.g. women become 10 (or) 100 household heads)

• Access to finance: economic empowerment opportunity

• Decision making power: especially financial decision

• Through business establishment (e.g. new crops)

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SIT: discrimination against women

Discrimination• Women do not see themselves as discriminated• BUT:

• Couples prefer boys over girls (45% vs 25%)• social expectations, religious belief (good deeds for boys)• Job opportunities and salaries: men more than women (even

same job)• Land ownership: officially men

Gender roles change• Awareness and attitude change through trainings• Confidence to solve (social) problems• Men hand over roles to women

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SIT: Conclusions• Women were strengthened through Shwe Inn

Thu’s activities and trainings• Confidence level increased• Take more roles and responsibility in

management and leadership• Develop awareness of their abilities• More economic security through improved

income• Women emphasize knowledge sharing

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NAG (Network Activity Group)

• NAG – local organization-Conducting many project activities across the country (Myanmar)

-Livelihood-Governance-Civil Society Strengthening-Public ServiceIn Kayin State,üWomen saving groupüCapacity building (gender awareness, governance,

agriculture)

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NAG: women disseminate knowledge?

• Both household members and other villagers• Women are confident to share knowledge with

men (e.g. health care, gender equality)• Agriculture, health care, education, livelihood,

gender related knowledge• Farm work, social visits, social welfare

(e.g. donation ceremonies, weddings), monastery

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NAG: women’s leadership

• Leadership experience social empowerment increases

• Decision making power: especially financial management, crop production, selling crops-(53.33% joint in general decision, but women are more powerful)

• Through business activity/ establishment (e.g. new crops)

• Lead in agricultural works to adopt new techniques

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NAG: discrimination against women

Discrimination• Women do not feel that there is discrimination• Couples prefer boys over girls (43% vs 20%)• social expectations, religious belief (good deeds for

boys)• Land ownership: officially men

Gender roles change• Awareness and attitude change through trainings• Comfort to solve (social) problems

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NAG: Conclusions• Women were strengthened through NAG’s

activities and trainings• Confidence level increased• Take more roles and responsibility in

management and leadership• Develop awareness of their abilities• Women emphasize knowledge sharing

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General conclusions• Even NGO programs focused on development can

empower women• NGO can change gender roles though activities

and by providing role models• Knowledge, group activities and more income

security empower women• Women do not feel discriminated but there are

gender differences • One key to empowerment is building women’s

confidence and mutual trust

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The impact of NGO interventions on the empowerment of women in rural communities in Myanmar

Thi Thi Nyunt ,Thaw Ni Ni Zaw, Dr. Romana Roschinsky & Dr Julian PriorMyLife project - University of New England

Thank you very much for your attention!