Compilation of CSO publications

MYANMAR

CIVIL SOCIETYÂ SUPPORT PROGRAMME 2016-2018 COMPILATION OF CSO PUBLICATIONS

MYANMAR

CIVIL SOCIETY SUPPORT PROGRAMME

PUBLISHED IN MYANMAR IN NOVEMBER 2018

BY PEOPLE IN NEED

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“THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF AUTHOR AND CAN IN NO WAY BE TAKEN TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.”

COMPILATION OF CSO PUBLICATIONS

Overview

4-5

Publications of CSOs from Kayin state

6

Publications of CSOs from Mandalay region

7

Publications of CSOs from Mon State

8-11

Publications of CSOs from Shan state

12-17

THE PROJECT AN OVERVIEW

In a transforming political setting and in an environment of dynamic societal shifts, it is crucial to take part and to represent the interests of a variety of citizen groups, incl. minorities, women, youth etc., so that their needs are voiced and their basic rights are ensured. In this respect a vibrant civil society is the best bridge between the government and the local communities, which not only conveys information about local needs and problems but

Alongside its implementation partners,

also puts more pressure on government

Loka Ahlinn and European Partnership

officials and administrative authorities

for Democracy, PIN has worked to

to make best efforts to bring about the

improve relations and coordination

necessary policy changes.

between local CSOs, their networks and

People in Need (PIN) encourages civil

representatives of regional parliaments,

society participation in public affairs

local government bodies and the

and policy dialogue in Kayin, Mon and

media.

Shan states and the Mandalay region

In our programme, CSOs could access

through the project funded by the

organizational development support to

European Union and the Ministry of

achieve their visions and leave them

Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.Â

stronger to fulfill their potential and

Our approach is based on best

produce positive sustainable results in

practices distilled from years of

development and governance. We

experience and high standards

strongly believe that allowing more

practiced in different country contexts.

customized capacity building is about

4

leaving citizen groups and organizations

to develop clear advocacy priorities

stronger and more effective in tackling

based on the collected evidence. A

the social, economic and democratic

mapping of the situation in their

challenges of their people.

particular area helped them determine

PIN, Loka AHLINN and EPD have strived

what strategies and messages could

to empower local partners by delivery

work.

of powerful tools and resources to seize

This document summarises and

the opportunities, allowing space to

presents study results of 16 civil society

enhance their interaction and establish

organizations, which were

functional advocacy platforms.

accomplished in the framework of

Individual funding provided through

individual granting component

grant enabled CSOs to strengthen their

conducted between October 2016 and

capabilities in data collection and

November 2018. These organizations

evidence-based research as well as

continue to have a long-term view on

further advance their work using proper

advocacy efforts and not expecting that

materials and tools for building

individual meetings, partnerships or

awareness and active engagement in

events would be most effective,

influencing of particular public

focusing prudently on small wins to

concerns. CSOs had the chance

build toward big wins.

5

KAYAN WOMEN ORGANIZATION KYWO

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE REPORT

SECTOR: WOMEN RIGHTS AREA: KAYIN STATE DATE: SEPTEMBER 2017

Based on local needs, KYWO provided community awareness trainings, in which the high number of violence cases against women was raised and discussed, representing an even greater challenge in a divided territory.

People in the region are worried and reluctant to report violence, there is poor rule of law and lack of legal knowledge, besides the traditional practices that already discriminate women. This report wants to raise awareness among the community about violence against women and seeks to engage women in advocacy so they can influence decision makers.

6

AMARAUNG WOMEN LEAGUE SECTOR: WOMEN RIGHTS

UNDERSTANDING ON GENDER ISSUES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY LEVEL

AREA: MANDALAY REGION DATE: JUNE 2018

The study aims to have evidence based information about general awareness and knowledge of people from rural communities where the organization is implementing its women empowerment project. This publication indicates to gender based violence cases prevalent in the villages and the actions taken, providing general knowledge of laws protecting women rights, suggestions and ideas for gender based violence reduction. The whole project objective is to reduce gender based violence.

Amara Aung Women League is also advocating and engaging stakeholders, especially local authorities who are directly dealing with the issues raised by the organization.

7

MYITTAR SHIN SECTOR: WOMEN RIGHTS AREA: MON STATE

AN ASSESSMENT OF VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS OF SEX WORKERS AND VULNERABLE WOMEN IN MON STATE

DATE: DECEMBER 2017

Myittar Shin promotes gender equality, protects women’s rights and provides HIV awareness in Mon State, specially among sex workers. The CSO has the objective to increase legal knowledge and capacities of sex workers, while contributing to improved regulation through an advocacy project seeking to reform policies and programmes. This publication is an assessment conducted with the aim to better understand and document violations against sex workers. It includes views of sex workers, service providers, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders. Preliminary findings and recommendations were also shared and discussed with Mon State stakeholders, and their feedback has been incorporated in the publication.

Findings from this assessment will help Myittar Shin in prioritizing issues and areas for targeted advocacy.

8

MON YOUTH PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION

YOUTH IS IN DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE

SECTOR: DRUG ISSUES AREA: MON STATE DATE: AUGUST 2018

In Mon state, young people are considerably exposed to drug use and the issue is threatening their future and development as well as the community's. Mon Youth Progressive Organization took an assessment on drug issues in order to better support rehabilitation and prevention. This comprehensive publication was made thanks to the young people who helped to collect specific and reliable data from communities, relevant stakeholders, civil society organizations, policy makers and respective authorities.

It explores factors surrounding high prevalence of use of amphetaminetype stimulants (ATS) and identifies existing interventions, activities and services (especially related to prevention and harm reduction), as well as the challenges they face.

9

NEW VISION SECTOR: DRUG ISSUES

AN ASSESSMENT OF CHALLENGES AND NEEDS IN INTERVENTIONS FOR DRUG USERS IN MON STATE

AREA: MON STATE DATE: AUGUST 2017

This assessment mainly focused on qualitative methods to explore the context of drug abuse in Mon state. It explored factors around the use of methamphetamines with the aim of identifying existing interventions and services, and the challenges ahead.Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with a variety of people participating, such us: a hospital official, a police officer, officials from District/Township Department of Justice, a member of an ethnic armed ethnic organization, school teachers, youth leaders, an officer from Department of Social Welfare, NGOs, religious leaders, active drug users and ex-users, motorbike taxi rider, young people and students, manual laborers, female sex workers and drama performers.

10

NETWORK FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

DESTRUCTION OF ENVIRONMENT & HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS REGARDING QUARRY (MINE) PROJECTS IN PAUNG TOWNSHIP

SECTOR: ENVIRONMENT AREA: MON STATE DATE: OCTOBER 2018

The network mobilized local environmental activists from villages affected by quarry (mine) projects in Paung Township to raise awareness on environmental impact of mining in the area. Data collection was carried out through individual interviews to survey and identify the state of environmental impact and human rights violations related to mine projects, which fed this publication with the aim at putting pressure to the government to avoid or restrain further negative environmental consequences and avoid human rights violations by unrestrained economic activities.

11

SOUTHERN SHAN STATE WOMEN ORGANIZATIONS NETWORK

PROTECTING AND PROMOTING RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WOMEN WORKERS

SECTOR: WOMEN RIGHTS AREA: SOUTHERN SHAN STATE DATE: MARCH 2018

This publication combines experience collected in previous awareness sessions and data collection on the topic of women labour and migration involving over 400 people from 20 villages in Southern Shan State with high level of migration. In this study, the CSO imparts the local people’s knowledge, their perspectives, what difficulties and main reasons they face which eventually drive them to migrate. The report book also includes a number of practical suggestions to different administrative departments and job agencies.

12

JUSTICE DRUM SECTOR: DRUG ISSUES

REVIEW OF FINDINGS ON DRUG-USE REDUCTION (SOUTHERN SHAN STATE)

AREA: SOUTHERN SHAN STATE DATE: MAY 2018

This publication contains information from a survey conducted among 600 people from 4 townships in Southern Shan State who were open and willing to give their accounts about their familiarity with drug issues. Each answer to the multiple choice question had been analysed to understand their insights about the spread and consumption of drugs in the community, what types of drugs are available, where they come from, reasons why people turn to drug use, the level of trust to inform responsible authorities when knowing about drug dealers, effectiveness of punishment when a user or dealer gets caught, and reasons why criminal punishment has not proved to be useful, etc. Additionally, case stories and suggestions were also included with the aim to inform and influence the community and policy-makers.

13

KAUNG RWAI SOCIAL JUSTICE & DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

THE FORGOTTEN LIVES FROM CHERRY LAND

SECTOR: LAND ISSUES AREA: SOUTHERN SHAN STATE DATE: DECEMBER 2017

This is a report about the negative impacts of three recently built factories on lands used by local farmers in the area of Nam Hsee Village. The survey disclosed facts related to the limited knowledge of the local people about the companies and the negative impact their activities have on the lands and environment. This was why KSJDO proposed the local communities new ways to manage those negative impacts with transparency, responsibility and accountability.

Several of these factories (steel, cement and antimony) are actually based very near water sources as well as villages, making the local farmers particularly exposed and having to brave most of the adverse effects.

14

MYANMAR PEOPLE ALLIANCE (SHAN STATE)

THE NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES BEHIND THE STATE’S DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

SECTOR: LAND ISSUES AREA: SHAN STATE DATE: JANUARY 2018

This is a report illustrating two specific cases: the Ye Ywar-Shwe Sar Yan Power Cable-Building and the Gote Twin Bridge Approached Road to show the adverse effects of some of the state's development plans in Naung Cho Township. MPA (Shan State) prompted the local government to let the community participate in the environmental impact assessment prior starting similar projects. Improved approach on data collection, active community participation and assessment reveal important facts about customary land practices. The report also encourages companies to implement projects with full transparency and accountability.

15

PA-O YOUTH ORGANIZATION

OUR LAND

SECTOR: LAND ISSUES AREA: SOUTHERN SHAN STATE DATE: JULY 2018

This publication is intended to showcase situation of people affected by land grabbing, addressing officials and authorities at different levels, other organizations and lawyers that support these processes. This comprehensive study includes a brief history of Shan State and of Pa-O Self-Administrative Zone, a collection of land grabbing cases in Southern Shan State and some references from media and bibliography. Furthermore, it contains interviews with affected people who explain their challenges, as well as detail evidence related to Pa-O customary land practices, summary of Myanmar Land Law and other suggestions and demands.

16

ANTICORRUPTION TEAM SHAN

ACCOUNTS ON THE EFFORTS TO CHALLENGE CORRUPTION PRACTICES

SECTOR: ANTICORRUPTION AREA: SOUTHERN SHAN STATE DATE: JULY 2018

Anti-Corruption Team (Shan) presents in this publication its collection of corruption cases affecting over 400 people from 25 locations in Southern Shan State documented between 20152017, with the objective to campaign and gather sufficient support for an anti-corruption law. This report also includes the challenges for anticorruption initiatives in the target areas and provides recommendations and suggestions for a more accountable and transparent administration. The main tool of ACTS is to promote awareness and knowledge on how to avoid and end corruption, as well as to link citizens and civil society organizations with other relevant stakeholders to network, cooperate and be more efficient and successful in their contest.

17

P E O P L E I N N E E D M Y A N M A R