Critical Reflective Writing # 1

Cultural Norms, Gender and Economic Development in Myanmar

            The most interesting thing I learned in this week is that cultural norms can influence gender and economic development. Due to culture, women have to perform reproductive works such as caring children and older, preparing food, managing finance for the survival of family member, etc. as their responsibilities. Otherwise, they do not have much time to participate in business and community activities leading to less economic development in Myanmar because of less women participation in decision making and economic development activities.

            This realization is important for three reasons. First, cultural norms can cause higher female illiteracy rate which is the major issue for development. Due to saying: When a daughter is born parents' usually say, “assurance of an additional dish on the dining table”, parents do not prefer women to enroll school  than men. Thus, according to the Provisional results of the 2014 census, 51.8% (26,598,244) of the total population  is female but  only 86.4% of  female can enjoy the education (primary) which  is lower than male (96.9%). Second, it leads to gender gap in higher position professional jobs, for instant; there is male preference in joining the professional institute like University of Medicine etc. than female by big difference matriculation exam marks. Finally, it restricts women to take the decision making role because of patriarchy system .So, only 6% of 664 seats in both houses is women Member of Parliament.

             This concept makes me realise that cultural norms can influence on gender and economic development. In one decade, Myanmar’s government is trying to improve economic development but it is still poorer than neighboring countries due to the mismanagement based on the cultural norms leading to gender discrimination. The reason why economic development is failure is the restriction of women in decision making role and implementing economic development activities because the percentage of labour force of female (49.81%) is more than male and they have  skill to manage and plan how money can use effectively since they were born.

   This concept will be useful in my future career in my country. It can be informed to government through consultation to take into account in economic development plans because not only formal and informal institution and also gender are necessary needed for economic development in Myanmar.

 

 

Reference:

1.       Brenda Belak. (2002). The Economy and Women’s Labour (Pg.152-193). Images Asia Publisher.

  http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/GS11.economy-and-labour.pdf

 

2.       Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and Population (2014). Myanmar Population and Housing Census, Provisional Results: Census Report Volume 1 http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/myanmar/drive/Census_Provisional_Results_2014_ENG.pdf