In light of the recent rounds of news revealing Myanmar society’s attitude towards women and womanhood (see: umbrella story here and new legislation here), I am compiling a collection of all the places in Myanmar where I am not welcomed just because I am a woman (sometimes, even when dogs are).
In a country where men feel embarrassed to show respect to a senior female politician, I am sure that there will be more of these signs, and I will keep updating this entry for sure.
Hpaan
Pyin Oo Lwin
Inle Lake
Do you think Buddha minded this? Sure, certain proximity towards someone vowed for celibacy may turn inappropriate or uncomfortable for the person. But in ordinary encounters, is it still relevant for women and men to sit in hierarchy at ceremonial places? Is spirituality reserved only for men? What is this? I do not understand.
I’m from myanmar too. And every time I see a sign that says “women are not allowed” especially redundant stuff like sitting on the edges of lakes and finding a spot to pray, i feel like putting another sign saying “why the F not?”
You missed out the iconic Kyaikhtiyo pagoda where women must wear longyi only while men has the choice to wear pants and they can’t even cross the bridge to touch the pagoda while men could.
Another saddest thing is that even at the most famous shwedagon pagoda, there’s a Buddha statue that women cannot even see in person, only showing a video image. And that is sad. I’m so mad
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I’m from myanmar too. And every time I see a sign that says “women are not allowed” especially redundant stuff like sitting on the edges of lakes and finding a spot to pray, i feel like putting another sign saying “why the F not?”
You missed out the iconic Kyaikhtiyo pagoda where women must wear longyi only while men has the choice to wear pants and they can’t even cross the bridge to touch the pagoda while men could.
Another saddest thing is that even at the most famous shwedagon pagoda, there’s a Buddha statue that women cannot even see in person, only showing a video image. And that is sad. I’m so mad
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