Myanmar (formerly Burma) was one of the first Asian countries to grant women equal voting rights. In 1947, a year before gaining its independence, the country’s first constitution was drafted, guaranteeing “all persons equal rights before the law” and banning “discrimination against any Myanmar citizen on the basis of sex.” The constitution has since been suspended twice and the present constitution, drafted in 2008, contains language reinforcing traditional gender roles and stereotypes. After more than five decades of military dictatorship, an ethnic conflict, and legislation that restricts women’s rights, the nation has managed to make significant advancements toward gender equality thanks to the determination of women’s civil society organizations. The Gender Equality Network and the Women’s League of Burma have led grassroots efforts to challenge traditional social norms and have worked with political parties to elect more women to governing positions. Their efforts paid off; in 2020, female representation in parliament was nearly 17 percent, up from 3.5 percent in 2011. The military’s takeover of the government in February 2021 presents yet another obstacle for women, especially those from ethnic minority communities; even so, they remain on the front lines, risking their lives in protest and gaining the attention of the international community.
Female sports participation has been met with strong cultural resistance in Myanmar, but attitudes have begun to shift over the past few years as more sporting opportunities have become available. Women’s soccer has steadily increased in popularity since the national team won the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship in 2004 and 2007. The team is currently among the top ten Asian teams and is ranked 44th in the FIFA world ranking. In 2016, the Myanmar Football Federation launched its first Women’s League.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Burma / Myanmar:
Soe Soe Myar
How does Burma / Myanmar compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
17%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
4%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Aung San Suu Kyi, 2016 - 2021
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1935
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1948
Burma/Myanmar established an independent government on January 4th under the Burma Independence Act of 1947, parting with Great Britain.
1988
Khin Khin Htwe and Mar Mar Min, athletes in athletics, became the first women to represent Burma/Myanmar in the Olympics.
1997
Accession of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2016
Aung San Suu Kyi became the first woman from Burma/ Myanmar to serve as the State Counsellor, the de facto head of government, and equivalent to a prime minister.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
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4
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10
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6
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2
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1988
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
1988
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
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First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
The first woman could be you!
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
N/A
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
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FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1995
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
In 2016, the Myanmar Football Federation launched its first Women’s League.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
Unknown
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
