The Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor and the Centre for Diversity and National Harmony (CDNH) organized a virtual meeting on “Enhancing Women’s Roles on Anti-Hate Speech and Social Cohesion in Rakhine State” yesterday.
At the event, Deputy Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor U Min Lwin said the government was prioritizing Rakhine issues through short and long-term implementation.
He added that the implementation of the recommendations of Dr Kofi Annan’s Advisory Commission on Rakhine State was underway, and its progress was being delivered to the public through regular reports.
The Union Attorney-General Office’s Criminal Investigation and Prosecution Body was formed to conduct investigations and prosecutions of matters mentioned in the final report of the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) regarding the incidents that occurred in northern Rakhine State.
The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) was formed to address the development needs of Rakhine State, he said.
He highlighted that women play a crucial role in promoting social cohesion and trust building between all communities in Rakhine State.
He added that Myanmar was implementing the ratified Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the signed Joint Communique on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence.
Women’s social advancement was being encouraged in Rakhine State by conducting capacity building and livelihood training courses in cooperation with development partners.
He explained that the Maternal and Child Cash Transfer support programme for expectant mothers and children up to two years supported over 130,000 mothers from April to June 2020, and over 130,000 mothers from July to September 2020. A supplementary assistance programme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided financial support to over 137,000 mothers.
He pointed out that the Office of the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar issued Directive No. 3/2020 on 20 April 2020, on prevention of incitement to hatred and violence (or) prevention of proliferation of hate speech. According to the directive, all ministries and all regional and state governments are to ensure that their personnel, officers, staff – whether military, other security forces, or civil servants – and local people under their control or direction denounce and prevent all forms of hate speech. All ministries, their agencies, departments and offices shall further encourage all personnel to participate in and support anti-hate speech activities.
He said that the third workshop on combatting hate speech and promoting social cohesion in Rakhine State was held virtually because of the pandemic.
The First Aid for All training programmes is being implemented to promote social cohesion further and provide opportunities for youth in Rakhine State.
The workshop will help to build mutual respect and understanding, and strengthening peace development among the diverse communities in Rakhine State, he added.
He further said that assistance and cooperation from friendly countries, United Nations Agencies and development partners play a vital role in building peace, stability and development of Rakhine State.
He called for their continued supports for the government’s efforts in these areas, saying that concerted efforts are necessary to divert and end conflicts.
Director Dr Aung Thurein from the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor spoke about anti-hate speech campaigns and the objective of the workshops. CDN’s Executive Director Dr Kyaw Yin Hlaing explained the implementation of tasks spearheading social cohesion.
The opening ceremony was attended by Colonel Htein Lin (Retd), Advisor to the Office of the President, the permanent secretaries from various ministries, responsible personnel, ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, heads of UN Agencies, and over one hundred representatives from Rakhine State.
The meeting discussed matters relating to anti-hate speech campaigns, promoting social cohesion, and capacity-building training for women.
The first women’s workshop on combatting hate speech and promoting social cohesion was held on 23 February 2020, at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Yangon. The second workshop titled “Anti-Hate Speech Campaign: Success and Challenges” was held at the NRPC in Yangon on 14 and 15 July 2020.
MNA
Photo:MNA
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