POLS 1503 – Globalization

University of the People

Learning Journal Unit 5

In your own words, explain what you understand by womenomics. How does womenomics

apply to your country, provide reliable evidences?

Womenomics refers to the economic policy initiative aimed at boosting the economy by

increasing women's participation in the workforce. It is based on the idea that empowering

women to participate more fully in the economy is not only a matter of social justice but also a

strategic economic move. This concept was popularized in Japan under Prime Minister Shinzo

Abe's administration, which sought to address Japan's economic challenges by leveraging the

underutilized female workforce. The policy includes measures to encourage women's

employment and promotion, improve work-life balance, and change societal attitudes towards

women in the workplace. The goal is to overcome the traditional gender roles and the deeply

ingrained patriarchal culture that has limited women's economic participation and to stimulate

economic growth by expanding the labor force (Setiawaty & Virgianita, 2018).

In Myanmar, the concept of womenomics could potentially address several socio-economic

challenges, including gender inequality, low female labor force participation, and economic

underdevelopment. However, the implementation and impact of womenomics in Myanmar

would face its unique set of challenges and opportunities. According to available sources,

Myanmar has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region and faces significant

gender-based barriers, including traditional patriarchal values that enforce gender stereotypes and

contribute to the gendered division of labor. These factors restrain women's influence and

participation in the economy (Gender Concerns International, n.d.). The situation is further

complicated by the country's political instability and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and

military rule, which have exacerbated vulnerabilities and economic hardships, particularly for

women (UN Women, 2022).

 To apply womenomics effectively in Myanmar, policies would need to address these

specific challenges by ensuring access to education and healthcare for women, promoting gender

equality in the workplace, and supporting women's entrepreneurship. Additionally, efforts to

change societal attitudes towards women's economic participation would be crucial. While there

is potential for womenomics to contribute to economic growth and gender equality in Myanmar,

it requires a comprehensive approach that considers the country's socio-political context and

addresses the root causes of gender inequality.

Find one reliable short (2-3 pages) academic article related to various development projects

in your country. Summarize the article and write the reasons why you choose the article.

The article "Conflict Sensitivity: Experiences from Local and Community Development

Practice in Myanmar" is a thematic study report that delves into the integration of conflict

sensitivity in development programming in Myanmar. Funded by the Republic of Korea (ROK)

and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) under the Saemaul Initiative Towards

Sustainable and Inclusive New Communities (ISNC) project, this report is part of a broader

UNDP Myanmar initiative aimed at enhancing conflict sensitivity in development efforts through

knowledge sharing, capacity development, and policy action (UNDP Myanmar, 2017).

The report highlights the imperative for development actors in Myanmar to adopt a conflict-

sensitive approach, given the country's diversity, history of conflict, ongoing peace process, and

complex political and economic transition. It emphasizes that development interventions must be

designed, managed, implemented, and monitored in ways that do not exacerbate conflict but

instead mitigate potential conflicts and support peacebuilding efforts. The study presents findings

on strategic conflict-sensitivity considerations for development actors, including the need for

comprehensive conflict analysis, consultative and iterative program design, flexible and adaptive
implementation, institutional buy-in and capacities for conflict sensitivity, and effective

monitoring and evaluation.

I chose this article because it provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and

opportunities for integrating conflict sensitivity into local and community development programs

in Myanmar. The report's focus on practical experiences and lessons learned offers valuable

insights for development practitioners working in conflict-affected areas. Additionally, the

article's emphasis on the importance of conflict sensitivity in development programming is

highly relevant to Myanmar's context, where decades of internal armed conflict and

intercommunal tensions have significantly impacted development efforts and the well-being of

communities.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various development projects in your country

with proper evidence and citations.

The National Community-Driven Development Project (NCDDP) in Myanmar, initiated in

2013, represents a significant shift towards a more inclusive and participatory approach to rural

development. This project, supported by the World Bank with an $80 million International

Development Association (IDA) grant, aimed to empower rural communities by involving them

directly in identifying and implementing development needs, such as basic infrastructure

projects. By August 2020, the NCDDP had reached 63 townships, benefiting approximately 7.3

million people through over 35,000 sub-projects, including road construction, bridge repairs,

village electrification, water system construction, and school repairs. Notably, the project has

ensured gender mainstreaming, with women constituting 52% of the beneficiaries and receiving

36% of the wages paid. Additionally, a robust grievance handling mechanism was established,
resolving 99% of over 26,000 comments or complaints within an average of 10 days (The World

Bank, 2020).

Advantages

 The NCDDP's community-driven approach has empowered rural communities to identify

and prioritize their development needs, leading to more relevant and sustainable

development outcomes.

 By ensuring equal participation and benefits for women, the project has contributed to

gender equality and women's empowerment in rural areas.

 Operating in conflict-affected areas, the project has demonstrated the importance of

conflict-sensitive development, contributing to peacebuilding efforts.

 The creation of 8.2 million labor days of wages has injected significant economic

resources into rural communities, contributing to poverty alleviation.

 The substantial number of infrastructure sub-projects has improved access to essential

services like clean water, sanitation, electricity, and education, directly impacting the

well-being of rural populations.

Disadvantages

 Operating in conflict-affected areas presents significant challenges, including security

risks for project staff and beneficiaries, and potential for exacerbating local conflicts if

not carefully managed.

 While community-driven projects can enhance local ownership and sustainability, there is

a risk that without continued support and capacity building, communities may struggle to

maintain and replicate project successes.

  The project's reliance on significant external funding raises questions about the long-term

sustainability of such initiatives without continued financial support from international

donors.

The NCDDP in Myanmar illustrates the potential benefits of community-driven development

approaches, particularly in terms of empowering rural communities, promoting gender equality,

and contributing to conflict-sensitive development. However, challenges related to

implementation in conflict-affected areas, sustainability, and dependency on external funding

must be carefully managed to ensure the long-term success and replication of such projects.
References:

Setiawaty, D. A. & Virgianita, A. (2019). Implications of womenomics on the Relationship

between Female and Male Workers in the Professional and Social Environment: A Preliminary

Study. Universitas Indonesia. https://eudl.eu/pdf/10.4108/eai.24-10-

2018.2289659#:~:text=Womenomics%20is%20a%20policy%20in,women%20to%20believe

%20they%20are

Gender Concerns International. (n.d.). The Situation of Women in Myanmar.

https://www.genderconcerns.org/country-in-focus/myanmar/the-situation-of-women-in-

myanmar/

UN Women. (2022). Regressing Gender Equality in Myanmar: Women living under the

Pandemic and Military Rule.

https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/03/regressing-gender-

equality-in-myanmar

UNDP Myanmar. (2017, November 30). Conflict Sensitivity: Experiences from Local and

Community Development Practice in Myanmar.

https://www.undp.org/myanmar/publications/conflict-sensitivity-experiences-local-and-

community-development-practice-myanmar

The World Bank. (2020). People-centered Development: The Myanmar National Community-

Driven Development Project. Retrieved from

https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2020/09/03/people-centered-development-the-myanmar-

national-community-driven-development-project