A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies

Research (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024

The research study focused on the workplace challenges faced by female journalists in Myanmar. Through in-depth interviews with ten female media practitioners, the research categorized five themes of the obstacles: (1) Gender Roles and Discrimination, (2) Glass Ceiling and Gender Pay Gap, (3) Lack of Support and Policies, (4) Gender Based Violence and Harassment, and (5) Safety and Security Concerns. In addition, the study identified the psychological and professional development impacts of female journalists when facing those barriers in their workplace environment. The study discovered the intersection of gender, professional barriers, and socio-cultural expectations within the media industry and the influence of traditional norms, including family pressures and the perceptions of society in Myanmar. Additionally, the normalization of harassment in the workplace contributed to emotional distress and a lack of trust in the workplace. The study recognized the roles of political situations when exploring the challenges faced by female journalists, particularly in conflict zones.Although female journalists face several obstacles that hinder their professional development, job security is a significant challenge among female journalists. The study revealed the impact of these barriers on psychological and professional development and how they affect their professional development and personal lives.Based on the analysis and findings, the specific recommendations for the Donor and the media organizations are presented in this research. The four suggestions for donors include linking funding opportunities and institutional support and policies, supporting funding policies for women-led initiatives, providing tailored technical training for female journalists in conflict zones, and creating unrestricted funding for female journalists in Myanmar. For the media organization, creating a gender discrimination and bias-free workplace, ensuring equal pay and opportunities for female and male journalists, understanding and addressing the unique training needs of female journalists, encouraging female participation in decision-making roles, and developing performance evaluation tools are the recommendations for them.