“While censorship is already widespread in Myanmar, it is often worse for women as they not only face state barriers, but also cultural and social ones too., Many of these barriers remain either hidden or regarded as so normal that few think about them,” said Ye Htun Naung, ARTICLE 19 Myanmar Programme Manager.
“We found that broadcasters overwhelmingly stereotype Myanmar women as either mothers or weak, vulnerable and vain. We found that the information women need on sexual and reproductive health is denied to them because of ‘culture’. We found that women’s voices are almost entirely absent from politics. We found that the so-called ‘protectors’ of women are often in fact perpetrators, and ‘protection’ is often actually the control of their voices,” Ye Htun Naung added.
“We have a difficult road ahead to end censorship, build a strong media, get access to information, ensure our voices are heard in government, and protect those who speak out against powerful people. But while doing so, we need to ensure that we understand that different people experience these problems in different ways,” concluded Ye Htun Naung.