Underappreciated Frontiers: Myanmar Women Are Fighting against Militarism and Patriarchy

Day 1 3pm 2 hours English, Myanmar

The Asia-Pacific region has experienced increased intrastate and interstate potential conflicts, as rising superpowers and declining ones attempt to exert influence. Powerful authoritarian regimes in the region are consolidating their power and influence for the benefit of local ruling elites, stifling the civic space for environmental activists, human rights defenders, and organizers, while killing journalists and incarcerating peace activists.

In this complex mix, the Asia-Pacific region is becoming a fertile ground for heightened military supremacy over people’s power. Consequently, fault lines are emerging that could give rise to further geopolitical conflict.

On the other hand, feminist networks, women’s rights organizations, and women human rights defenders encounter additional hurdles in their efforts to fight against the increasing militarism. It is patriarchy that is deeply entrenched across the region and the situation is revealed by various forms of gender-based crimes even within the resistance forces.

Built on years and years of long-standing impunity, the Myanmar military attempted a coup in February 2021. This results in undermining all the efforts and progress made towards conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and gender equality within the short-lived quasi-civilian rule over the last decade.

The junta and its forces specifically targeted women human rights defenders, women peacebuilders, feminists, women in general, LGBTQI+ political activists, and labor activists for their outspoken advocacy. Thus, it is crucial to explore how the intersecting issue of hegemonic practices, patriarchy, and intensifying militarism have an impact on the efforts of feminists and women human rights defenders and the approaches to strategically dismantling them.