The Roles of Civil Society Organization in Women's Empowerment: A Case Study of the Kachin Internal Displaced Women in Mai Ja Yang Town, Kachin State, Myanmar

Abstract

The ethnic conflict between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar civilian government from 2011 June has resulted in more than 100,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), who are taking shelter along the China-Myanmar border (UNHCR, 2014 ). Moreover, the government is not providing humanitarian assistance and has even blocked international organizations from reaching the IDPs. Local civil society organizations (CSOs) are trying to support the IDPs to maintain their livelihoods by giving them necessary training and assistance. Women’s experiences in conflict situations are often unique to their gender. Women face specific vulnerabilities such as the threats of sexual abuse and rape, physical and mental abuse, exploitation and inequality in decision-making. The purpose of this research is to identify the roles of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on empowerment for IDP women during the conflict. The empowerment of IDP women is assessed using four main concepts: access, conscientization, mobilization and control, as defined by UNHCR guidelines (UNHCR, 2001) and link with the human security concept which include of Economic, Health, Political, Personal and community security. In each dimension of security the thesis will look the empowerment indicator to analysis. The area of research is focusing on the women in Pa Kahtawng IDP camp in Mai Ja Yang, an area of Kachin state, Myanmar, which is not under government control. The research uses qualitative methods, including interviews with key informants, focus group discussions and case studies. This research shows that the CSOs have been continuously giving trainings and providing capacity building for the development of women. But in most cases, the women have been reach to the different level of empowerment by the civil society organizations (CSO), mostly through training on gender, health, income generation, and women’s rights. However, Kachin women face numerous obstacles to their empowerment, as they still encounter power relations in the family and community because of the continuing domination of men due to culture and tradition.