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The economic position of women in Burma

During recent decades, the rate of female labour force participation (LFP) has increased significantly, although trends in participation vary from country to country according to the extent of economic development, social and cultural factors, family structures, educational policies and so on. At the same time, however, in many countries women remain second-class citizens without equal access to power, scarce goods and other sought-after things. Burmese women are not quite as downtrodden as their counterparts in neighbouring countries such as China, India and Bangladesh. Such customs as the veil, purdah, child betrothal, wife immolation, foot-binding, female infanticide and other outrages suffered by women in some countries are unknown in Burma. This does not mean, though, that in Burma women are equal to men. This paper discusses the factors that are influencing the economic position of Burmese women. Firstly, demographic changes and the transition from high to low fertility levels are closely intertwined with the changing economic role of women. This paper analyses the common perception that education and the spread of birth control are major factors in women's LFP. Secondly, the LFP rate of women is closely related to the nature of family structures and cultural/ religious values regarding the role of women. Thirdly, state education policies have facilitated women's movement into the labour market, and educational advances have improved the employment status of women. Finally, this paper will examine how the LFP patterns of women have changed during the course of socioeconomic development. Before examining these issues, however, it is necessary to look briefly at Burma's demographic profile.