Poor State of Women’s Health and Rights in Myanmar But Many Opportunities for Progress

Press Release

February 23, 2016

Poor State of Women’s Health and Rights in Myanmar

But Many Opportunities for Progress

In the Asia-Pacific region, Myanmar is often considered as lagging behind on developmental outcomes. Myanmar did not meet many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the country needs much investment in the social sector, especially with regards universal access to health, especially sexual and reproductive health and gender equality, in order to meet the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Investing in the health of citizens, especially in sexual and reproductive health, can act as an equalizing force in society, and enable countries to reduce poverty, create gender equality, and bring about overall development. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes in Myanmar are among the worst in the Asia-Pacific region and despite an increase in the 2015/16 budget, the country’s health services remain drastically underfunded. There is a critical need for funding and attention to this area.

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) will be launching a country study on the status of SRHR of women in Myanmar at the 8th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR), which begins on the 23rd of February 2016 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

“The conference is happening at a critical time in Myanmar. With increased donor interest and investment in the country, this critical time period can, if utilized well, enable development, rights and prosperity for the citizens of Myanmar,” said Sivananthi Thanenthiran, the Executive Director of ARROW.

This study, focusing mainly on Eastern and Western Myanmar, offers an overview and analysis of government policies and services that were implemented from 2011 to 2015, and identifies key gaps, challenges and opportunities for SRHR advocacy in the country.

The maternal mortality ratio in Myanmar is the highest in South East Asia, at 200 per 100,000 live births. 76% of deliveries take place at home due to women not being able to afford the travel and healthcare costs. The main cause of maternal deaths in Myanmar is postpartum hemorrhage and if all women are to receive maternal healthcare services, 7000 additional midwives are needed in the country.

The study found women and girls from ethnic states and conflict areas to be more marginalized in accessing reproductive health services such as maternal healthcare and contraception. Militarization as well as ongoing armed conflict in border areas and conflict zones in ethnic states have resulted in high levels of violence against ethnic women, perpetrated by the military with no legal redress for victims. Conflict in Myanmar also continues to prevent health workers’ access to villages and prevents people from leaving villages if they need emergency healthcare.

The study gives insight into many aspects of women’s health and rights in Myanmar, including contraception, HIV and AIDS, citizenship, and marriage rights, young people, and rights of sexual and gender minorities. It will be a useful resource for SRHR advocates in Myanmar as they continue to advocate for women’s rights in a political climate that is hopefully changing for the better.

The study recommends that legal reform, especially on gender-based violence and youth development, are opportunities to be explored and that advocates must continue to hold the government accountable to its commitment to universal access to SRHR for all people of Myanmar.

For more information and interviews, contact Sachini Perera at sachini@arrow.org.my or +603 2273 9913

Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW)
1 & 2 Jalan Scott, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50470
Telephone  (603) 2273 9913 /9914
Fax             (603) 2273 9916
Email         arrow@arrow.org.my
Website     www.arrow.org.my
Facebook   ARROW.Women
Twitter       @ARROW_Women
YouTube     youtube.com/user/ARROWomen
Pinterest    arrowomen

Vietnam

  • Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP)

Indonesia

  • Aliansi Satu Visi (ASV);
  • CEDAW Working Group;
  • Hollaback! Jakarta;
  • Institut Kapal Perempuan;
  • Kalyanamitra;
  • Komnas Perempuan;
  • Remaja Independen Papua/Independent Youth
    Forum Papua (FRIP/IYFP);
  • Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI);
  • Perkumpulan Lintas Feminis Jakarta;
  • Perkumpulan Pamflet Generasi;
  • RUTGERS Indonesia;
  • Sanggar SWARA;
  • Women on Web;
  • Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan (YKP); 
  • YIFOS Indonesia

Maldives

  • Hope for Women
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)
Poor State of Women’s Health and Rights in Myanmar But Many Opportunities for Progress

Press Release

February 23, 2016

Poor State of Women’s Health and Rights in Myanmar

But Many Opportunities for Progress

In the Asia-Pacific region, Myanmar is often considered as lagging behind on developmental outcomes. Myanmar did not meet many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the country needs much investment in the social sector, especially with regards universal access to health, especially sexual and reproductive health and gender equality, in order to meet the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Investing in the health of citizens, especially in sexual and reproductive health, can act as an equalizing force in society, and enable countries to reduce poverty, create gender equality, and bring about overall development. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes in Myanmar are among the worst in the Asia-Pacific region and despite an increase in the 2015/16 budget, the country’s health services remain drastically underfunded. There is a critical need for funding and attention to this area.

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) will be launching a country study on the status of SRHR of women in Myanmar at the 8th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR), which begins on the 23rd of February 2016 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

“The conference is happening at a critical time in Myanmar. With increased donor interest and investment in the country, this critical time period can, if utilized well, enable development, rights and prosperity for the citizens of Myanmar,” said Sivananthi Thanenthiran, the Executive Director of ARROW.

This study, focusing mainly on Eastern and Western Myanmar, offers an overview and analysis of government policies and services that were implemented from 2011 to 2015, and identifies key gaps, challenges and opportunities for SRHR advocacy in the country.

The maternal mortality ratio in Myanmar is the highest in South East Asia, at 200 per 100,000 live births. 76% of deliveries take place at home due to women not being able to afford the travel and healthcare costs. The main cause of maternal deaths in Myanmar is postpartum hemorrhage and if all women are to receive maternal healthcare services, 7000 additional midwives are needed in the country.

The study found women and girls from ethnic states and conflict areas to be more marginalized in accessing reproductive health services such as maternal healthcare and contraception. Militarization as well as ongoing armed conflict in border areas and conflict zones in ethnic states have resulted in high levels of violence against ethnic women, perpetrated by the military with no legal redress for victims. Conflict in Myanmar also continues to prevent health workers’ access to villages and prevents people from leaving villages if they need emergency healthcare.

The study gives insight into many aspects of women’s health and rights in Myanmar, including contraception, HIV and AIDS, citizenship, and marriage rights, young people, and rights of sexual and gender minorities. It will be a useful resource for SRHR advocates in Myanmar as they continue to advocate for women’s rights in a political climate that is hopefully changing for the better.

The study recommends that legal reform, especially on gender-based violence and youth development, are opportunities to be explored and that advocates must continue to hold the government accountable to its commitment to universal access to SRHR for all people of Myanmar.

For more information and interviews, contact Sachini Perera at sachini@arrow.org.my or +603 2273 9913

Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW)
1 & 2 Jalan Scott, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50470
Telephone  (603) 2273 9913 /9914
Fax             (603) 2273 9916
Email         arrow@arrow.org.my
Website     www.arrow.org.my
Facebook   ARROW.Women
Twitter       @ARROW_Women
YouTube     youtube.com/user/ARROWomen
Pinterest    arrowomen

Morocco

  • Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (AMPF),
  • Morocco Family Planning Association

India

  • CommonHealth;
  • Love Matters India;
  • Pravah;
  • Rural Women’s Social Education Centre (RUWSEC);
  • SAHAYOG;
  • Sahaj;
  • Sahiyo;
  • SAMA – Resource Group for Women and Health;
  • WeSpeakOut;
  • The YP Foundation (TYPF)

Lao PDR

  • Lao Women’s Union;
  • The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Health
    Sciences (UHS)

Sri Lanka

  • Bakamoono;
  • Women and Media Collective (WMC),
  • Youth Advocacy Network – Sri Lanka (YANSL)

Malaysia

  • Federation of Reproductive Health Associations of Malaysia (FRHAM);
  • Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG);
  • Justice for Sisters (JFS);
  • Reproductive Health Association of
    Kelantan (ReHAK);
  • Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM);
  • Sisters in Islam (SIS)

Maldives

  • Hope for Women;
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)

Myanmar

  • Colourful Girls Organization;
  • Green Lotus Myanmar

Nepal

  • Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC);
  • Blind Youth Association of Nepal;
  • Blue Diamond Society (BDS);
  • Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA);
  • Visible Impact;
  • Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC);
  • YPEER Nepal;
  • YUWA

Pakistan

  • Aahung, Centre for Social Policy Development (CSPD);
  • Forum for Dignity Initiative (FDI);
  • Gravity Development Organization; Green Circle Organization;
  • Indus Resources Center (IRC);
  • Idara-e-Taleem-O-Aaghai (ITA);
  • Rehnuma – Family Planning Association Pakistan;
  • Shelter
    Participatory Organisation;
  • Shirkat Gah;
  • The Enlight Lab

Philippines

  • Democratic Socalist Women of the Philippines (DSWP);
  • Galang;
  • Healthcare Without Harm;
  • Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities;
  • Likhaan Centre for Women’s Health;
  • Nisa UI Haqq Fi Bangsamoro;
  • PATH Foundation Inc. (PFPI);
  • Women’s Global Network for
    Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Singapore

  • End Female Genital Cutting Singapore
  • Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Mongolia

  • MONFEMNET National Network