Title: Intersectionality and Gender Injustice in Higher Education in Pre- and Post-coup Myanmar

Author: Ei Yin Yin Phyu

Year: 2023

Keywords: Gender equality, Sex discrimination, Sex discrimination in education, Sexual freedom

Themes: Development Management, Post-development, Innovation for Inclusive Development

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research examines gender injustice in Higher Education in pre- and post-coup Myanmar. It explores how gender injustice has been perceived and practiced during the semicivilian government and after the 2021 coup, both in private and public spaces. Using intersectionality and gender injustice concepts, this research employs a qualitative approach, collecting primary data through interviews with women university scholars, as well as secondary sources such as legal documents, education laws, university policies and regulations regarding gender equality. It incorporates other gender-related concepts and frameworks in order to strengthen its empirical findings. Primary data collection included 17 female participants from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds and religious beliefs with work experiences ranging from 9 to over 25 years in public universities or institutions across Myanmar. The findings of this study support the thesis argument on the interconnected gender injustice faced by women in the academic sphere, especially academic women from ethnic minorities, marginal groups and non-Buddhist religions. The gender injustice situation has been even worse after the 2021 coup. Finally, the thesis aims to contribute to the interconnected gender and societal workplace challenges faced by Myanmar’s female academics and to the development interventions by state and non-state actors for fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).