Pyin Oo Lwin - On 30th May, UNFPA and the Myanmar Anti-Narcotic Association (MANA) held the first training of its kind for Myanmar’s police officers on GBV, RH and HIV. More than 340 female and 760 male officers gave up their Saturday to attend the training. Ms. Kaori Ishikawa, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Myanmar, said in her opening statement: "Security forces are the gate keepers of the criminal justice system. They have a major role to play in detecting crime and maintaining public order and security and protecting the rights of civilians."
It is a common misunderstanding in many parts of the world, including Myanmar, that domestic violence is a private matter that is best dealt with by a husband and wife at home. It is therefore essential that women and girls are supported by the police to end violence in the home and help them lead productive lives free from stigma.
Before the workshop participants completed a pre-assessment questionnaire, testing their basic knowledge on HIV, RH and GBV. As well as interactive discussions, there were a series of presentations. Mi Mi Thin Aung, National GBV Coordinator, UNFPA Myanmar, focused on the traditionally held beliefs that often lead to gender based violence. Dr. Theingi Myint, Director, Maternal and Reproductive Health Unit, Ministry of Health, gave an overview of reproductive health and family planning programmes and Reproductive Health policy in Myanmar. Dr.Than Win from the National AIDS Programme (NAP) discussed HIV and sexually transmitted infections, while Dr. Tin Myo Naing from the Health Department, Mandalay District talked about Maternal and Reproductive Health services available to the public.
A highlight of the workshop was the screening of an episode from the popular TV series “The Sun, the Moon and the Truth”, which illustrated the repercussions of domestic violence in a typical family. All police officers were engaged and willing to learn about GBV, RH and HIV. Su Htoo Pan, a female police officer, said: “I have learned a lot from this workshop and this TV programme shows the causes of some family problems and the action that can be taken to address them.” She added: “I want to reach the highest rank possible. I want to show that women can also achieve in a traditionally male dominated institution”. Police officer Ko Ye Win Htut also said he had benefitted from the workshop: “The TV episode is very effective in explaining how gender-based violence can be addressed; it is more useful than a whole series of books.”
A UNFPA spokesperson said that police need the appropriate knowledge and tools to protect women and girls affected by violence. It is critical that the police apply the law without discrimination and understand that referral to lifesaving health and psychosocial services is essential. GBV is the most silent systematic human rights abuse in the world and supporting the police service is a way to ensure that Myanmar is not complicit with this culture of impunity.
