Building policy research capacity in Myanmar
In 2017, IDRC and Global Affairs Canada launched a new initiative, Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM), to sustain democratization in that country. This initiative aims to nurture meaningful dialogue in the democratic transition and to promote economic growth that benefits all women and men, regardless of ethnicity. Working with other development partners, it targets diverse and complementary entry points to strengthen analytical thinking and research. This involves support for capacity development for individuals, including emerging researchers and policymakers; engagement and collaboration through roundtables, workshops, and other forms of policy dialogue; and capacity development for institutions, including think tanks and governments (legislatures). K4DM also funds research projects on topics of inclusive democratic governance and economic development.
This project will support training and mentoring for emerging professionals, mostly women, who have worked in government and/or non-governmental organizations, are pursuing or have completed a graduate degree on public policy, public administration, or other relevant social science, and are aiming to improve their capacity for policy analysis.
Senior faculty from universities in Thailand (the Asian Institute of Technology and Chiang Mai University), Canada (the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning-McGill University and the University of British Columbia), and the U.S. (University of Southern California) will strengthen the capacity of more than 150 young professionals and faculty from across Myanmar. The training will be focused on practical, hands-on tools in policy analysis rooted in the social sciences, and will include training in gender research, social policy, economic development policy, and public policy and political economy. The university partners will also provide continued mentoring through the supervision of individual policy research projects.
Project ID
108622
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Edgard Rodriguez
Total Funding
CA$ 1,130,013.00
Location
Myanmar
Programs
Institution Country
Thailand
Project Leader
Chayan Vaddhanaphuti
Institution
Chiang Mai University
Institution Website
Institution Country
Canada
Project Leader
Franque Grimard
Institution
The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
Institution Website
Institution Country
United States
Project Leader
Htay-Wah Saw
Institution
University of Southern California
Institution Website
Institution Country
Canada
Project Leader
Kai Ostwald
Institution
The University of British Columbia
Institution Website
Institution Country
Thailand
Project Leader
Kyoko Kusakabe
Institution
Asian Institute of Technology
Institution Website
Outputs
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Contribution of home-based enterprises to women’s empowerment in Mandalay region, Myanmar Paper
This study of women entrepreneurs shows that property inheritance rights do not translate into access to financial capital, greater social networks in formal spaces, or empowerment of women. Although there are more educated females than males, there is ongoing lesser female labor force participation (63.1% compared to 85.1% for men). Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) especially home-based and cottage industries represent the backbone of local economies and can potentially generate women’s empowerment by participation in the equity and employment of a business enterprise. The research examines the role of women in the family after participation in home-based industries in terms of women’s empowerment. Author(s): Thein, Cho Cho, Thein, Khin Thu Thu, May, Htoo, Swe, Hnin Yu, Mynit, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Language: English |
Barriers to women’s participation in the labor market in Myanmar Paper
Employers in the formal sector in Myanmar actively discriminate on the basis of gender, age and education levels. Most employers prefer hiring young unmarried women. Participation in the labor force declines significantly after the age of 25. Women are generally expected to stay home to do reproductive and household work for the family. This study examines the internal and external factors that play a role in limiting women’s participation in the labor market in Myanmar. Direct quotes from interviewees provide a glimpse of the realities of being a working woman in Myanmar. Author(s): Lin, Eve Cherry, Thwe, Theint Kay, Thin, Thin Language: English |
An analysis of benefits to women from different financial services : case study in Meiktila district, Mandalay region Study
This analysis focuses on women’s inclusion in financial services, and the factors that influence their ability to access financial resources. It traces patterns in the development of, and access to microcredit programs and their effects on women’s (and their children’s) lives. Women in the Mandalay region of Myanmar were interviewed (2019) regarding microcredit financing and access, the effects on poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and any social benefits accrued through an increase in household income. Author(s): Aung, Phyu, Win, Yi Yi, Hlaing, Khin Thandar, Aung, Nay Nay Language: English |
Qualitative study of parental perceptions of barriers & enablers of girls’ education in Monywa, Myanmar Paper
In Myanmar, there are no significant gaps in literacy rates for boys and girls in the age group 15-19 years. However, the gap gradually increases after the age of 19. The study explored parents’ attitudes towards girls’ and boys’ schooling in Monywa, Myanmar to better understand parental perceptions. Findings show both rural and urban parents equally in favor of educating both daughters and sons, even when there’s a financial struggle for the family. One respondent observed that girls’ education was more likely to be prioritized if the girl was smart, while boys’ education was likely to be prioritized regardless. Author(s): Khin Thida Nyein, Thida Htay, May Zin Oo, Khin Mar Cho Language: English |
Will GAD efforts work without a stable democracy in Myanmar? Paper
The paper provides an overview of two gender and development (GAD) workshops conducted at Yangon University of Economics (YUE) in terms of research capacity building. In Myanmar, gender inequality has not been historically recognized as an issue for development. Being under a military regime for decades (1962-2010) research is underdeveloped, with limited or no data/information available across sectors. Universities are not autonomous. The curriculum is controlled by the Ministry of Education, and difficult to change. The GAD course drew from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)’s book “Theoretical Perspectives on Gender and Development,” and six academic papers for individual reviews and group exercises. Author(s): Thant, Sanda, Kusakabe, Kyoko, Doneys, Philippe, Chatterjee, Joyee Language: English |
Gender differences in civic engagement among the youth attending Yangon University of economics Brief
This study focuses on civic engagement and attitudes of youth attending Yangon University of Economics (YUE) in Myanmar, towards increasing understanding of gender differences in leadership and civil society activities. Interviews reveal that youth are more inclined to participate in non-political activities. Female students largely avoid leadership roles. Male youth are a minority at YUE, yet they still hold leadership positions. Civic engagement is very vulnerable to political conflict. One of few studies (2014) found little citizen engagement due to poor information, lack of freedoms, and overall restrictive norms. Currently, Myanmar is in political transition. Author(s): Ko, Aung, Tin, Myo Win, Phyoe, Ei Ei, Thulayphaw, Benjamn, Nyo, Zin Zin Moe Language: English |