Junta-Backed Group Claims Greater Rights for Women in Burma
By Aung Lwin Oo

July 4, 2006 – (The Irrawaddy) Members of the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation—headed by the wives of Burma’s top leaders—said that government policies have increased the rights of women in the country during its annual commemoration of Women's Day in Rangoon on Monday.

"Myanmar [Burmese] women have achieved the momentum of advancement and security of life under the peace and tranquility of the State, [and] prevalence of law and order due to economic development and improved communication," government-run The New Light of Myanmar quoted Than Than Nwe, wife of Prime Minister Gen Soe Win, as saying.

Other members of the junta-affiliated organization who attended Monday’s event include Kyaing Kyaing, wife of junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe; Mya Mya San, wife of Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye; and Khin Lay Thet, wife of Gen Thura Shwe Mann. Women from the diplomatic community and UN agencies were also in attendance.

"They keep on claiming that the situation for women in Burma is improving," said Lway Aye Nang, a joint general secretary of the exiled Women’s League of Burma. "But compared to the situation on the ground, women are facing social and economic hardship," she added.

The MWAF also echoed the Burmese junta’s position on widespread calls for the UN Security Council to help initiate reform in the military-run country. Any recommendation to the Security Council, according to the group, could have a negative impact on the Burmese population in general and women in particular. However, Lway Aye Nang of WLB—an umbrella organization comprising 12 women’s organizations of different ethnic backgrounds from Burma—said that even without UN intervention, the position of women in Burma has already worsened under military rule.

MWAF claims over 2.6 million members in just over two years of existence, which would make it a major political organization in Burma. But the legitimacy of their numbers has been called into question by those who see the group as merely a pseudo-political junta mouthpiece. "There are cases of forced recruitment, and it is questionable how it managed to sign up so many members in such a short period," said Lway Aye Nang. During the Monday event, junta first lady Kyaing Kyaing awarded gifts to outstanding Burmese women, including pro-government author Dr Ma Tin Win.

From: http://www.irrawaddy.org/aviewer.asp?a=5956&z=154