25th August to 26th August, 2016.
Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association conducted the project " Women Participation in Social Welfare, Health and Administration (decision making process) in Hpa-an township, Kayin State" on 25th August and 26th August, 2016.
The Report on the Talk on Women’s Participation in Social Welfare, Health and Administration (Decision Making Process) in Hpa-an township, Kayin State
Introduction
1. The representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, Public Health Department, General Administration Department, Myanmar Police Force, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Civil Society Organizations attended the UNSCR 1325, Women Peace and Security Training held in Stockholm and Upssala in Sweden from 9th to 27th May 2016.
2. At the training, lectures were given on the subjects relating to women, peace and security, gender equality, etc. and project management, and also, the follow up change project was scheduled to be conducted. Accordingly, the scheduled project on the Talk on Women’s Participation in Social Welfare, Health and Administration (Decision Making Process) in Hpa-an township, Kayin State was prepared by representatives of the Social Welfare Department with the coordination and cooperation of the representatives of Ministry of Health and Sport, Ministry of Home Affairs, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and the Social Welfare Department obtained the approval from its Ministry to conduct the Talk, and the Talk was conducted on 25th and 26th August 2016, with the support of the Kayin State Government.
Objectives of the project
3. The project was conducted with the following objectives:
(a) To support and assist for the protection, prevention and rehabilitation for the best interest of women;
(b) To understand and gain knowledge on matters and the rights relating to women, health, administration, gender equality and prevention of human trafficking;
(c) To understand the role of women’s participation in community in decision making levels and to promote raising of women’s participation.
Implementing the project
4. The project was implemented by the following persons:
(a) U Soe Phone Myint Member,Myanmar National Human Rights Commission
(b) Daw Mya MarlarSoe Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department
(c) Dr. Thida Win Deputy Director, Public Health Department
(d) Dr. LwinLwin Aye Assistant Director, Public Health Department
(e) Daw Yu Yu Wai Staff Officer, Social Welfare Department
(f) Daw Mon Mon Ohn Staff Officer, General Administration Department
(g) Daw Ohnmar Htay Police Captain, Myanmar Police Force
(h) Daw Aye Thiri Myat Communication Officer, Myanmar Maternal and Child
Welfare Association
5. After obtaining the approval to conduct the project, discussions were made at the meeting with the State authorities on 24th August 2016 in order to proceed with conducting the project, and preparations were made from the State guest house in Hpa-an city.
6. The Talk (project)
The Talk was conducted on 25th August 2016 at Zwe-Ka-Bin Hall (City Town Hall) arranged by the State General Administration Department,and the Chief Minister of the Kayin State Government delivered her opening speech and the State Administrator explained about the Talk. Afterwards, U Soe Phone Myint, member of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, made power point presentation and discussed on human rights, UNSCR 1325,women, peace and security, and Myanmar National Human Rights Commission; Deputy Director Daw Mya Marlar Soe from Social Welfare Department made power point presentation and discussed on women’s rights and Gender Equality; Deputy Director Dr. Thida Win from Public Health Department and Daw Aye Thiri Myat from Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Associationmade power point presentation and discussed on women and contraceptive health right; and Police Captain Daw Ohnmar Htay from Myanmar Police Force made power point presentation and discussed on anti-trafficking. The participants, totalling 118 in numbers, include government staff, teachers from Universities and Basic Education Schools, representatives from Interfaith organization, members of the State Maternal and Child Welfare Association, ward and village administrators, police officers, responsible persons from ward and village, teachers from nursery schools, pregnant women and married couples. (Opening speech and discussions made are attached as appendices).
7. On the 26th, target group discussions were made by the participants who already attended the Talk on the first day, and the Talk was made again for the late participants who attended more on the 26th. Target group discussions were made for target group (1), comprising (35) participants from interfaith organization, ward and village administrators, teachers from nursery schools, government staff from various departments, universities and basic education schools, on the topic titled “Women’s Rights and Gender Equality” headed by Daw Mya Marlar Soe and Daw Yu Yu Wai from the Social Welfare Department. Discussions were mainly focused on the requirement to obtain the right to actual participation of women in administration and in education sectors, after knowing and understanding the rights of women and gender equality.
8. In addition, target group discussions were made for target group (2), headed by Dr. Thida Win and Dr. Lwin Lwin Aye from Public Health Department and Daw Aye Thiri Myat from Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and (39) participants from pregnant women, members from maternal and child welfare association, and youths joined. Discussions were made on matters relating to contraceptive health rights including decision making by own motion, paying attention to the suggestions given by women in relation to family planning, permitting and accepting women’s participation from the level of family unit to the level of ward and village matters.
9. Simultaneously, discussions were made on topics “Women and Anti-Trafficking in Persons” and “UNSCR 1325, Human rights and Administration” for target groups (3) and (4) respectively,
headed by U Soe Phone Myint, Daw Mon Mon Ohn and Police Captain Daw Ohnmar Htay, which comprised (35) participants. Among the participants were police officers, members of maternal and child welfare association, government staff, ward and village responsible persons, and youths. Discussions including making suggestions were made on the requirement to cooperate with responsible authority, to make arrangements and reveal anti-trafficking in ward and village, and should seek and obtain decisions of women; establish the right for women’s participation in giving education to community; the ways to implement for women’s participation in decision making process at local levels; and the need to improve capabilities of women among themselves and the means to reach to leading role.
Results of the project
10. In the Talk, the thematic questions were prepared and given to participants for their pre-test and post-test knowledges and evaluation. As such, out of (118) participants before commencing the Talk, there were (7) participants who did not know such knowledges, (96) participants who knew a little bit about such knowledges, (15) participants who knew mostly about such knowledges. After attending the Talk, there were (9) participants who did not continue to attend the Talk, and no participants who did not know about such knowledges, (11) participants who became to know a little bit on such knowledges and (98) participants who mostly knew about such knowledges. Accordingly, it was a success to see that the number of participants, knowing about such knowledges, was increased. However, it is seen that that there is still in need to put theory on gaining such knowledges into practice.
Acknowledgement of thanks
11. Expression of thanks and appreciation is made to the Chief Minister and the Kayin State Government, the State Social Welfare Department, the General Administration Department, and Kayin Maternal and Child Welfare Association who whole heartedly gave their support to conduct the Talk successfully and to those who actively participated in the Talk on Women’s Participation in Social Welfare, Health and Administration (decision making process).
Conclusion
12. It is recommended that the Talk on Women’s Participation in Social Welfare, Health and Administration (decision making process) in Hpa-an township, Kayin State is a process for the progress of implementation of UNSCR 1325 and is supportive to the implementation of National Strategic Plan (2013-2022) for capacity building and development of women in Myanmar.
Presenters
Project Implementation Board