On the face of it, being a female TV or online presenter in Myanmar sounds glamorous and enviable.
But there is a dark side for a woman presenting their face to the public in this modern, connected world.
Ma Ya Mhone, an alias, is a well-known middle-aged figure and presenter who introduces new products and makes announcements in the online social media space.
Being a celebrity, she has faced a number of challenges in terms of attacks on her person and the businesses she is connected with.
Much of it comes down to Myanmar’s patriarchal society and elements within society that tend to treat others with contempt, as seen with the public’s attitude towards people who are disabled or the gay
community.
Gender discrimination in Myanmar remains a problem and the nature of the online space makes it easy for critics to make lewd or inappropriate comments with no comeback.
Ma Ya Mhone took time out to speak with Mizzima about the good, bad and ugly sides of being a female presenter in the public eye in Myanmar.
Q: Have you faced challenges in the workplace?
A: “Yes, I’ve been disrespected. I’ve been subjected to inappropriate insults in the workplace. Because the perpetrator is a male supervisor, you have to let this go when they apologize quietly. The stereotypes under the heading of ‘girls’ also permeates all areas of the workplace. For example, as a woman you might be ridiculed for presenting a driving programme or being called out when you where something that shows skin.”
Q: Have anything ever affected you due to the lack of women right?
A: “Women are discriminated for being a woman and because of that there are financial harms due to work restrictions. For example: there are some restricting as Photographing is a man job and wedding
ceremony leader is a man job. Not only job opportunities but also social stigma affects women.”
Q: “When it comes to negotiation, do you think women have the same right as men? (For example, have you experience being considered prioritized because you are a woman.”
A: “I don’t think we have the same right as men. There are some scenarios that prioritize a woman and there are some scenarios that women have to setbacks.”
Q: “Have you experience discrimination before this situation?”
A: “As I said before, I personally have experienced discrimination even more when I did not acknowledge gender equality. It happened at schools and also at home. It is best to start with family-friendly approach towards the concept of gender equality and how to put in practice.”
“As the Professor Sayadaw, some things are to understand the cultures of a nation and to distinguish between something that has nothing to do with things like glory or luck. (For example, things like girls
clothes should not be left in front of the house or demeaning view of certain feminine accessories should be disappears.”
“It’s not about being a woman or man or people with disabilities. We hope to be a community of people who simply think of people as equal. We as a community have to help people who need help. It doesn’t
matter if you are a boy or a girl, you have to be the person who don’t discriminate who is weaker than you.”
