The Myanmar pro-democracy movement must listen to the calls of women and ethnic groups and their vision for federalism, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today. On June 29, APHR held a closed-door meeting with women’s rights defenders and activists from Myanmar civil society groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand as part of a series of discussions that aim to provide a platform for gendered perspectives on the crisis in the country, including topics such as federalism, patriarchy, and ethnic inclusion.  UN shines light on humanitarian crisis in Myanmar As long as there has been a civil war in Myanmar, there has been a struggle for ethnic autonomy, including the rights to their land, language, health care, education and traditions. For women, in addition to the fight for ethnic equality, has also been for gender equality. In the current context of post-coup Myanmar, new challenges have emerged and a new struggle for equality across all genders and ethnicities.  “The commitment and dedication of women to Myanmar’s struggle for democracy is evident across the movement,” said APHR Board Member and former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya. “Federalism cannot exist in Myanmar without democracy, and certainly not without the contributions of women.” US sanctions Myanmar’s defense ministry, 2 regime-controlled banks “The history of Burma is rooted in ongoing conflict. When we look at the creators of conflict, it is very clear it is the Myanmar junta. Women have always been involved in revolutionary acts because we believe in genuine peace,” said Moon Nay Li, Joint General Secretary of the Women’s League of Burma .  While pro-democracy bodies, including the National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, have called for federalism to defeat the junta, women-led organizations and activists are advocating for a future that is gender-equal as well as federal. Dhaka seeks ASEAN’s active role for repatriation of Rohingyas “Too often, women are told that their pursuits for gender equality are of lesser importance amidst the shared struggle to defeat the junta. These struggles are interconnected as the commitment to end military rule is rooted in ending patriarchal norms and institutions,” said APHR member and member of the Philippines House of Representatives Arlene Brosas. “Women’s rights defenders are critical actors in the pro-democracy movement, and their voices must be amplified to ensure their needs are met and perspectives are heard.” ASEAN leader acknowledges no progress toward ending Myanmar's deadly civil strife During the meeting, the women’s rights defenders and activists were very clear that more reflection needed to be done on how the ‘pro-democracy’ movement is currently progressing. For many, this includes inner work, primarily from the Bamar majority, on how to ‘unlearn’ certain attitudes and beliefs which stem from Burmanization and the patriarchy. Calls were also made to the international community to engage with pro-democracy stakeholders, and not the regime.  “The international community, including ASEAN, must support women human rights defenders and their calls for a more inclusive vision of federalism in Myanmar. Defeating the junta is imperative, but without the participation of women and ethnic people, a democratic Myanmar cannot be sustainable,” said APHR Chair and member of Indonesian House of Representatives Mercy Barends. Alarm over Myanmar, sea feud under ASEAN summit spotlight

State-run Bangladesh Television on Friday celebrated the 38th anniversary of its programme ‘Bonophul Theke Lok Lokaloye’, an initiative to preserve and develop the culture and heritage of the ethnic groups. The cultural organizers and artists of Khagrachhari district arranged a program in celebration of the popular show at the Khagrachhari Press Club. In this event, Bandarban artist and organizer Chathuipru Marma, Khagrachhari artist and organizer Amelie Dewan and Anchairi Marma, Painila Chowdhury Rangamati artist and organizer Trishna Tripura were honoured in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the development of the culture of small ethnic groups for 38 years. Read:Bangla Academy confers eminent personalities with Awards, Honorary Fellowship for 2021 The speakers expressed their gratitude to BTV and those associated with the program for preserving and developing the colourful culture, language, attire and heritage of the small ethnic groups of the country including Chittagong Hill Tracts through BTV's programme. Because of this program, the diverse culture and characteristics of the hill people have been protected. Besides, the artists, organizers urged for the continuation of the programme. Chowdhury Ataur Rahman, the organizer and presenter of ‘Bonophul Theke Lok Lokaloye’, educationist Dharmaraj Barua, eminent artist and organizer engineer Jeevan Royaja, former president of Khagrachhari Press Club Dilip Chowdhury, senior journalist Muhammad Abu Daud and joint-editor of Khagrachhari District Sports Association Azhar Hira spoke at the event.

Dinajpur District Adivasi Samaj Unnayan Samiti has given a commemorative award to Chowdhury Ataur Rahman, a researcher and analyst on ethnic minorities, in recognition of his contribution to the diversity of cultural life at the national and international levels through the preservation and development of the language, traditions, way of life, diversity, characteristics and culture of ethnic groups. Artists and organizers of ethnic communities in the Dinajpur region handed over the memento at a function organized on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of BTV's Bonaful Lok Lokalaya program. Also read: 13 get 'Woman of Inspiration Award 2021' Professor Ganesh Saran, President of Dinajpur District Adivasi Samaj Unnayan Samiti, presided over the award ceremony at Bhairabi Auditorium, Dinajpur.  In recognition for their  outstanding contribution to the development of the culture of small ethnic groups in the Dinajpur region through the creation of folklore programs from BTV's Banful, Santal personality researcher Professor Ganesh Saren, cultural organizer of the Orao community late Budsha Orao and Bhagwat Tudo were also awarded honourary mementoes during the event. Also read: 10 named for Independence Award 2021 Dinajpur District Adivasi Samaj Unnayan Samiti and Development Initiative for Inclusive People (DIP) have jointly organized the award ceremony.