Mon News Agency (MNA) freelance reporter Min Chan Nyi interviewed Mi Cherry Soe, the program director of Jeepyah Civil Society Development Organization (JCSDO). Mi Cherry Soe received the Champion for Gender Equality 2019 award from the Gender Equality Network on March 9, International Women’s Day. The ceremony was held at the Maha Bandoola Garden in Yangon.
MNA: First of all, could you please explain why you were granted this award at this International Women’s Day?
Mi Cherry Soe: This is for recognition of my work on gender equality, women and child rights. That’s why I was awarded Champion of Gender Equality at the International Women’s Day.
MNA: What was the selection process for this award, in terms of what you have accomplished and why you received this award?
Mi Cherry Soe: Regarding this award, someone nominates a candidate while there should be a supporter from the Gender Equality Network. This [award] is for those who thoroughly work with women and for gender equality.
An organization or individual can nominate a candidate by submitting a proposal with the candidate’s work. Once they [Gender Equality Network] accepts it, they will contact the candidates. Once they have consent from the candidates, they proceed with online voting. The three candidates that receive the highest number of votes will then be considered by the five judges who work in the women rights and gender sector. Two people were chosen for the awards: one is me and the other one is Ko Nyein Chan.
MNA: What do you think about the rights for men and the rights for women at present?
Mi Cherry Soe: Most women do domestic [household] tasks since there is a belief that women must stay home, and that matters of the sons and daughters are the woman’s [responsibility].
The Mon community had Mon queens in the past, but women could only perform the tasks where there were no men. When there are men, the priorities are given to them only. What I mean to say is that there is in fact no gender equality. It is essential to have women participate in every sector, from lower levels to higher levels in terms of decision making.
MNA: Why do you think it’s important to have women involved in decision-making in top-level positions? And if more women are able to be involved in peace talks, what kind of rights do you think should be given?
The percentage of women involved in the Union Peace Conference is very low, and it is also challenging for women to get involved. When it comes to having discussions about the issues, not much about women is discussed. When it comes to [public] statements, in some cases, there is clearly a need for women. Having women’s involvement, women’s thoughts, different ideas–then more about women will be able to be discussed.
Our country has not yet reached at the level where in politics women leadership is important. We are striving to reach that level.
It is necessary to have a system that can overrule the tradition [where people believe men are better than women]. What we have requested is several steps to have 30 percent women involvement in politics and the Peace Conference.
Although this 30 percent women involvement was discussed at the last peace conference, it was not successful. In the political parties sector in Myanmar, there is no political party that uses 30 percent women involvement. Even in our Mon politics, it has been applied and unapplied again.
Although 30 percent women involvement in Mon politics was included in the constitution of the people who wanted to form the Mon National Representative Party, now, due to the unification of two Mon political parties, the consideration of the 30 percent women involvement has been dismissed again.
There is no system of 30 percent women involvement, but during this National League for Democracy administration, when men and women have the same qualifications, preference will be given to the women. [The NLD] also has made it a point for the youths to be given preference. Although some people accept the fact that it is necessary for women [to be involved], there are still lots of people who think politics and the peace process are not related to women. This system [of equality] has not yet formed since there is no recognition of the need for women, and there is no belief that it is important for women. At some points, they just include some women to look good.
MNA: What are some opportunities for women to get involved in politics in Mon State?
Mi Cherry Soe: Prior to International Women’s Day, we conducted research to find out why there are so few women in the parliaments of Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region. We have quite a number of female representatives at state-level parliaments, but in the last parliament we had no female MP. But now we have 6 female MPs — so, of 30 MPs, we have 6 female MPs, which is about 20 percent or 26 percent. So, compared with other state parliaments, the Mon State parliament has a much higher number of female MPs. But, the number of female MPs is not even close to half of the total MPs.
MNA: What do you think in terms of women involvement in all respective sectors, nowadays? Is it getting better or worse?
Mi Cherry Soe: now women involvement is gradually improving compared to the past. This is because the donors and financial supporters have also started to allocate for women. We women have the qualifications and can perform [the duties].
We should get rid of the traditional belief that it [political work] is not related to women and women cannot do the work. It is necessary to provide security for women, to prevent violence, and to facilitate women involvement in parliament. I believe that we will be more successful when there is gender equality.
If we women are left behind, it will be like over 50 percent of thoughts and the workforce is left behind. The development in our country is also way behind other countries. I believe that since there are different issues [ in our country], if we also accept the women’s capabilities instead of only men’s and work together, it will be more effective and faster for the country’s development.
MNA: If you have anything to add, please do so.
Mi Cherry Soe: By giving the gender equality rights, we will then have gender equality one day.
We have learnt that in our community there are sports for the men and for the women, and the men can get a better education, while the women are not given the chance. Also, it’s divided for men, for example, men can do the engineering and men can do computing. So, I want to urge that we should not see it like this, but give rights to everyone and continue to work towards equality.
