Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sends Message of Greeting to Myanmar Women’s Day celebrations

Mingala to all.
I convey auspiciousness for all the dignitaries attending this 2021 Myanmar Women’s Day. I wish you all health and happiness.
I would express great honour to all Myanmar women on this significant Myanmar Women’s Day, which falls on 3 July (today) 2021.
Like other countries, Myanmar recently observed International Women’s Day, which falls on 8 March annually. Following the demands for women’s rights in the early 20th century, the UN officially declared the Day in honour of women who represent more than half of the world’s population.
The State proclaimed 3 July, on which Myanmar National Committee on Women Affairs was established, as the Myanmar Women’s Day. History bears witness to fine traditions and the role of women in actively and independently protecting and promoting the interest of their families, community and the nation and the people while standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. Women leaders who played the principal roles in the national movement throughout the independence struggle taking arms in tandem with men are the honourable milestones of history for the entire Myanmar women.
Throughout the later periods, women have been playing the leading roles in the national reforms while shouldering high-level duties in the legislative, administrative and judicial pillars of the State. The involvement of women in the commissions and committees representing the political, economic and social sectors and the national defence duties can also be found.
As a gesture of hailing performances of the entire Myanmar womenfolk, including outstanding women, who emerged in various fields such as political, economic and social affairs, skills and knowledge, art, defence and security, Myanmar Women’s Day has been designated, and is held as a national event.
According to the latest estimated population census till 1 April 2021 based on the national census taken in 2014, Myanmar has about 55.1 million people—about 26.4 million males and about 28.7 million females. So, the female population represents 52.13 per cent covering over half of the total population. Therefore, women’s force and strength play a crucial role in the efforts to fully implement the political, economic and social objectives of the State, ensure balanced development across the nation and fully carry out tasks for the development of human society. That is why measures are being taken to enable women to participate in various sectors and enjoy equal rights.
To promote the role of Myanmar women, the major force of the State, and enable them to enjoy equal rights they deserve, Myanmar is also realizing the 12-sector Beijing Declaration and project approved by the fourth Global Women’s Conference held in Beijing of the People’s Republic of China in 1995, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women-CEDAW adopted by the United Nations and Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs adopted by the UN in 2015 in accord with the provisions of the Constitution (2008).
At this juncture, Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs, the national-level mechanism, and regional committees are being formed, which are essential for improving the capacity and lives of Myanmar women.
For the equitable advancement of women in respective fields, the National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2013-2022) is being implemented based on 12 priority areas in conjunction with the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP).
Efforts are being made to enact the draft of the Prevention of Violence against Women Law to prevent all forms of violence against women and offer protection for them.
In addition to the above-mention regular measures for the advancement of all women, the government has taken gender equality and the development of capabilities of women including young ones into consideration in developing and implementing COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan-CERP so that their roles will not be left behind at a time when recovery efforts from the impacts of the global outbreak of COVID-19 are being accelerated.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue to implement social protection systems, social services and rules and regulations that will enhance the capabilities of women while promoting gender equality and narrowing the development gap between rural and urban areas.
In conclusion, I would like to urge all
– to cooperate in the implementation of programmes, plans and projects in respective sectors related to the social and economic development of women,
– to promote the cooperation among the government, civil society, private sector, the public and women so that no one is left behind in implementing them,
– to exert efforts to enhance the literacy, intellectual, knowledge and personality development of all women to enable them to stand shoulder to shoulder with men
– and to make efforts to enhance the life security and capabilities of new generation Myanmar women by inspiring them to take pride in and emulate the excellent performance of capable Myanmar women in successive eras.
May all be able to carry out tasks to advance the interest of the country and the people further by nurturing more and more competent Myanmar women.
Thank you all.