The women’s revolution: what the coup means for gender equality in Myanmar
A group of women hang rows of traditional ‘htamein’ from ropes before demonstrating against the Burmese military junta’s coup d’état, 8 March.
(STR/AFP
)
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A group of women hang rows of traditional ‘htamein’ from ropes before demonstrating against the Burmese military junta’s coup d’état, 8 March.
(STR/AFP
)
A few weeks ago, a strange sight began appearing in the streets of Myanmar (Burma). Women have been hanging their traditional
htamein – the pieces of cloth they wear as skirts – from ropes tied to windows or utility poles, suspending them above the streets like decoration for a parade. Some attach them to sticks and carry them as flags. These women are not simply putting out the laundry; they are protesting the coup d’état staged by the Burmese military on 1 February.