In the face of numerous reports highlighting the marginalization of women and minorities in Myanmar, a government-led delegation denied both charges in a UN meeting in Geneva last week.
The National League for Democracy delegation told the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) that the constitution ensures equal rights for both genders and women are listened to “more than ever” under the new government.
Myanmar, a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, is currently undergoing a review of its womens’ rights record for the first time under the NLD government. The committee will present a series of recommendations.
Maung Wai was quoted in the Myanmar Times as saying on July 7: “Due to non-discriminatory traditions, women do not face social barriers in education, jobs and career advancement.
“Participation of women in parliament has now increased to 13.5 per cent in 2016 from 4.42 per cent in 2012.”
Numerous CSO reports have catalogued a long list of barriers facing women in the country. Most recently, a report by CEDAW Action Myanmar, a civil society coalition, cited social stigma and reluctance to report sexual and domestic violence.
Last year, the country passed a series of controversial race and religion laws seen as targeting both women and Muslims. The NLD has said it does not plan to repeal them.
Speaking at the meeting, Maung Wai also denied minorities were marginalized, according to the Times.
Amid high tensions between the majority Buddhist and minority Muslim populations, two mosques have been burned down in recent weeks.
