"WOMEN NEED TO BE CONFIDENT"
Thu Thu Nwe HLAING is a successful, career professional and has a passion for civil society in Myanmar. She started her first paid job in a Korean Garment Factory as a merchandiser and is now the Programme Officer for LIFT's Civil Society Strengthening Programme. The MMOC Gender Group interviewed Thu Thu Nwe HLAING about her experience and career progression. Below is what she told us:
Can you tell us about yourself and how you came to work at UNOPS?
I have always been interested in working in development. I studied International Relations at East Yangon University and then joined Aid Medical International (AMI) for over three years before I moved to an Australian research firm called Compass. After a further three years at Compass I applied for a scholarship at the Korea Development Institute (KDI) School of Public Policy and Management and left to study a Master in Public Policy in Seoul.
When I returned to Myanmar I joined the Local Resource Centre (LRC) as the Coordinator for Monitoring and Accountability. Working with the Local Resource Centre was a rewarding experience. I had a lot of responsibility and freedom in my work. I also had great colleagues and the office was young and dynamic. Whilst at the Local Resource Centre I was promoted to research coordinator and worked on the revision of the Associations Law 6/88. This law imposed heavy punishment on groupings of five people or more and organisations that were not registered. The Local Resource Centre organized big stakeholder meetings and consultation sessions on the Associations law and were requested by the government in Nay Pyi Taw to hold a public hearing forum so that the concerns of civil society organisations could be heard. I am happy to say that the law was later revised. It was at the Local Resource Centre that my passion for civil society was nourished and really grew.
After 4 years with the Local Resource Centre I was offered the opportunity to work with LIFT and UNOPS as their programme officer for civil society. It was an opportunity I could not refuse. Working with LIFT has been a great experience but it has also been challenging. Civil society organisations now viewed me as the donor and with suspicion at first. It took time to rebuild trusting relationships with these organisations but I have managed and my job at UNOPS is very rewarding.
Has being a woman shaped the decisions you have made about your career over the years? How?
Being a woman does not impose limitations on me and it has not held me back. However at times I did need to work harder to prove that I was capable. This is often true for professional women and especially those in coordination roles but when you do prove yourself your potential is then recognised. Often people would say to me "for a woman you have achieved".
You have a young son, has being a mother had an impact on your career? How?
I did not feel any pressure to quit my job and stay at home when I started a family. After I gave birth to Tint Htoo Maw and my maternity leave was over my husband Kyaw Win Maw quit his job to look after Tint Htoo. He used to come to my office every day to take the milk that I breast pumped so that my son could have exclusive breastmilk. Kyaw Win took a year out of his career to look after Tint Htoo. My parents would look after my baby when both of us go to work. I am very grateful for the support and the understanding of my parents and my husband who have always supported me and my career.
Are there any women who have particularly inspired you? Who and why?
Daw Aung San Su Kyi is a role model for all women in Myanmar and has demonstrated great bravery by fighting for Myanmar and leaving her family. Daw Lahpai Seng Raw, the founder of Metta Development Foundation is also an inspiration to my generation. She has provided great support to civil society and has openly criticized the international community for not recognizing the important role that civil society has to play in Myanmar's development.
But on a more personal note Daw Myint Su has been a great inspiration for me. I met her at the Local Resource Centre where she was the head coordinator. She is a single woman, incredibly sharp and a Chevening fellow. It always impressed me how she dealt with donors and heads of agencies and I learnt from her how to talk with people and mediate situations.
Dr Wint Maw Thinn, who I also met at the Local Resource Centre, is another of my personal role models. She has a lot of experience working in Maungdaw, Rakhine State and in complex situations and I again learnt a lot from working with her especially in human resource management.
All my role models have a passion for civil society, are confident and even stubborn, and stand by their principles. These qualities have helped them achieved and have helped me too.
Do you think that Myanmar's young women have the opportunities they need to reach their full potential?
There are of course barriers to women's career progression and some old traditional views still persist that are not in line with the principles of gender equality. However women can overcome these barriers. They need to be confident and to speak out. Women in Myanmar are often shy and worried that if they say something wrong they will be shamed/criticised in public. Their confidence needs to be built and they need to know that they can speak up even if it is wrong. No one is always right. Women need to be confident to push and stick their guns. Taking English language classes is a good way to improve your confidence. In these classes you do not just learn the language but also how to speak up and voice your views. It is different from Myanmar language classes. The lack of confidence in speaking English is true for both men and women in Myanmar.
Young women these days also have many opportunities that await them. There are different types of scholarships available to study abroad and well-paid jobs these days also seek women as equality is promoted in both the civic and private sectors.
What advice would you give to young women starting out their professional careers in Myanmar?
Confidence, conviction and skills:
- Build up your confidence – go learn English and don't be afraid to voice your opinion
- Understand what you are doing and what you believe in – only when you believe in what you are doing will you be able to persuade and convince others. You need to understand your background and who you are to debate and stand your ground.
- Sharpen your skills – study in-depth and focus on your skills, your confidence and ability will follow.
