"There is lot to learn from Myanmar women"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2018: When the Nation is facing unemployment problem, especially women have limited choice of work given the cultural and traditional beliefs of the places they belong to.

Manipuri women are no exception.

Womenfolk in the State too are facing unemployment problem.

Manipuri women are brave and history has proven this time and again, but there are' things which every Manipuri women should learn from Myanmar/Burmese women who have similar builds, facial features and wear somewhat similar clothing (Phanek) .

Myanmar women are hardworking, have work culture and they don't discriminate any job or profession.

They have the habit of doing even odd jobs to generate income and support their livelihoods and be independent.

This was observed by a team of DIPR personnel led by Director of the department Heisnam Balkrishna during a 9 day visit to places in Myanmar.

From oil pumps to street vendors, most of the workers are women.

This reporter who accompanied the team witnessed Maynmar women working at road construction sites/National Highways within Myanmar.

The team witnessed majority of works carried out by womenfolk and young girls during the nine days.

Surprisingly they worked round the clock - day and night without slightest fear of being assaulted and sexually harassed.

This is something Manipuri society should learn and benefit from observed the team.

The team also visited Khit Sunn Yin Lotus, Silk and Cotton Hand Weaving Centre in Inpawkhon village in Inlay Lake, Taunggyi, Myanmar.

There, the team witnessed women were majority of the workers.

In the centre, the team saw the women weavers make threads and clothes out of lotus stalk.

This reporter observed the courtesy and assistance provided to them and other tourists visiting the place which might be enhancing and encouraging tourists visiting the place.

The women when they give something to the tourist, they use both their hands - one hand presents the package while the other hand supports the elbow of the other- demonstrating profound respect to the one receiving the gift, observed this reporter.

In Mandalay, while speaking to this reporter, Brahmacharimayum Sukhat Devi of Bamol Khun, Maynmar informed that majority of Meitei women in Mayanmar are employed in Govt offices.

Other unemployed women in Maynmar are engaged in various activities/professions - agricultural activities, hotel, shops etc said Brahmacharimayum Sukhat, who is an employee of Myanmar Govt in the Myanmar Post and Telecommunication Centre as a Manager.

She expressed her desire to visit Manipur and witnessed Ema Market and other historical places.

"I will soon visit Manipur as a Manipuri woman," she said expressing happiness over the opening of border land route.

"I would love to don Manipuri traditional attires and identify myself as a Manipuri woman in Myanmar," she said.

In Mandalay, there are about 700 Meitei households with over 2,000 people, she said.

She further claimed that majority of the Meitei women in Mandalay are unmarried.

Giving reason, she said that the women are afraid of losing their identity as Meiteis if they get married to indigenous Myanmar people.

"We want our women to marry Meitei youth, so that we can protect our identity and culture," she said.

Meanwhile, speaking to this reporter, Laimayum Manimala, family of late L Kalachand of Yangon Street 133, said that there are only 5 Meitei households in Yangon street 133 and 144 with a small population of about 50 .

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