People urged to empower Myanmar women’s role

 

President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing delivered a video inauguration speech at the ceremony marking Myanmar Women’s Day 2026, which falls on 3 July 2026. The full text of the translated speech is as follows: –

Everybody, Mingalaba!

First and foremost, I would like to extend my greetings and wish all the distinguished guests attending today’s 2026 Myanmar Women’s Day ceremony good health, happiness, and every blessing of peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

The Myanmar National Committee on Women was established on 3 July 1996. Accordingly, today’s Myanmar Women’s Day also marks the 30th anniversary of the Committee’s establishment. On this occasion, I would like to express my great pleasure in recognizing the capabilities, dedication, and contributions of Myanmar women who have been actively serving in important sectors for the country’s development. As this is also a day to honour outstanding women, I am delighted to extend my sincere recognition and appreciation to them.

Today’s ceremony is not only an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made over the past 30 years in advancing the development of women, but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to further promoting the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls. Since ancient times, Myanmar women have stood shoulder to shoulder with men in contributing to the well-being of their families, the development of their communities, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the progress of the nation. From rural villages to urban centres, women’s participation in education, healthcare, economic development, and peacebuilding has been a vital force contributing to the country’s development.

At the global level, the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, identified 12 critical areas of concern for the advancement of women. Till today, it continues to serve as an important guiding framework for the international community in promoting women’s development.

Countries, including Myanmar, that are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) are implementing measures to eliminate discrimination against women and to ensure equal rights for women. In addition, efforts are currently being made to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) of the United Nations, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Despite these efforts, challenges faced by women around the world continue to persist. According to the “2025 Gender Snapshot Report on Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals” published by UN Women, it is estimated that by 2030, around 351 million women and girls worldwide, representing 8.2 per cent of the global population, may still be living in extreme poverty. In addition, the report finds that one in eight women aged between 15 and 49 has experienced domestic violence. These challenges must be collectively addressed and reduced through coordinated global efforts.

As of 1 January 2025, the participation rate of women representatives in parliaments worldwide has reached 27.2 per cent, representing an increase of 4.9 per cent compared to 2015. According to global data, further efforts are still needed to enhance the meaningful participation and leadership roles of women at all levels of decision-making processes.

Within the ASEAN region, emphasis is also being placed on the promotion of women’s rights, protection and welfare, the advancement of gender equality, and the empowerment of women. In doing so, efforts are being made to enhance experience-sharing among member states, formulate and implement policies and programmes, strengthen capacity building, and expand regional cooperation.

In Myanmar, a key strategic plan for promoting women’s development and advancing gender equality the “National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2023-2032)” is being implemented in accordance with the 12 critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action.

Education, as one of the key components of the strategic plan, not only shapes the future of individuals but also serves as the most fundamental and important sector driving national development. According to the 2024 Population and Housing Census Union Report, Myanmar has a population of over 51 million, with women making up about 53 per cent. However, the literacy rate among people aged 15 and above shows that males account for 93.5 per cent, while females account for 90.9 per cent. In addition, female literacy rates stand at 94.2 per cent in urban areas, compared to only 88.7 per cent in rural areas, indicating that disparities in education between urban and rural regions still exist. In particular, in less developed regions such as Kayin, Shan and Rakhine states, literacy rates are significantly lower than the national average.

These findings indicate the need to place greater emphasis on ensuring women and young women have access to education and opportunities for capacity development in the education sector. Therefore, I would like to call for collective efforts to reduce the educational gaps between urban and rural areas, as well as among regions and states, and to expand access for women to quality education and training opportunities. In particular, efforts should be made to ensure that all school-age girls in rural areas are able to attend school and receive at least KG+9 level education. It is also important to

establish small village libraries to promote reading, learning, and access to knowledge.

Nationwide, the labour force participation rate for people aged 15 and above shows that males account for 63.8 per cent, while females account for only 34.1 per cent. In addition, it is observed that the female labour force participation rate remains lower than that of males not only between urban and rural areas, but also across regions and states, with these gaps continuing to persist. Based on these findings, I would like to urge coordinated efforts across all relevant sectors to enhance women’s economic empowerment and to ensure their full participation in national development processes.

Myanmar women have actively contributed to the national interest with equal dedication alongside men not only in political, economic, social, academic, and artistic sectors, but also in national defence and administrative systems. In this regard, the progress of participation rate of women representatives in various Hluttaws has increased from 4.8 per cent in the First Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to 10.5 per cent in the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, and further to 14.6 per cent in the current Third Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.

In the field of the rule of law, the participation of women at the level of Sub-Inspector of Police and above has increased from 12.87 per cent in 2021 to 17.56 per cent in 2024. It is also encouraging to observe that women’s representation in positions at and above Deputy Township Law Officer, as well as Deputy Township Judge, exceeds 53 per cent, indicating a high level of female participation in the rule of law sector.

In the 2025-2026 financial year, out of 15,522 appointed ward and village-tract administrators across Nay Pyi Taw, regions, and states, 109 are women. These figures show that women are being appointed and entrusted with responsibilities as community leaders and peacebuilders, and are actively serving in decision-making roles at the local level.

Therefore, under the leadership of the Myanmar National Committee for Women, efforts should be made to further strengthen policies and institutional mechanisms for the advancement of the women’s sector. In addition, accountability and implementation of gender-related initiatives should be enhanced, and efforts should be made to encourage men and young people to actively participate in promoting gender equality initiatives.

As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Myanmar National Committee for Women, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has also been formed in order to accelerate efforts for the advancement of women in this significant year. In order to continue implementing international commitments and to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), the Steering Committee for the National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2023-2032) has been upgraded and formed under the leadership of the Second Vice-President. Therefore, I would like to urge collective efforts to effectively implement the plan’s activities, ensure the safety and security of women and girls, build a society that upholds dignity and equal rights, and especially promote the development of rural women.

In conclusion, since women make up more than half of Myanmar’s population, only when they are developed and empowered across all sectors can families, communities, and the nation as a whole also develop. Therefore, I would like to urge everyone to join hands in promoting the advancement of the women’s sector so that Myanmar women can enhance their capacities and move forward toward equality, peace, and sustainable development.

Thank you all.

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar