Reinforcing Social Cohesion in Myanmar’s Borderlands: Strength, Solidarity, and Sustainability of Ethnic Women Organisations

Abstract

Multiple divisions created over many decades in Myanmar pose one of the major obstacles to the peace process. This chapter investigates the role played by ethnic women’s organisations (EWOs) as agents for creating social cohesion in Myanmar’s divided society. It first presents the historical background, general characteristics, and challenges faced by EWOs to explore why they are the possible agents. The potential and capacity of four major EWOs is then analysed to highlight their role in building social cohesion in the communities. While EWOs can overcome their various differences and cooperate to address wider societal issues, they also have contributed to the creation of grassroots peace in ethnically and religiously diverse communities. It could therefore be argued that EWOs, which already have a culture of peace, are transferring this culture to their respective communities through the implementation of various projects that will help build the foundations of secure communities.