ABSTRACT
In this chapter I explore the subject position of ethnic minority women from Myanmar as ‘borderlands of (in)securities’. I argue that their identity represents a borderlands between different nations and cultures, a fact that has both negative and positive implications in regard to their security. Ethnic minority women from Myanmar are positioned as ‘borderlands of insecurity’ because of the role women often have within nationalistic projects as cultural and biological depositaries of their nation (Yuval-Davis, 1997), a role that serves to define the borders between different communities. This trope generates women’s insecurity because it makes them vulnerable to sexual violence by the Myanmar Army in its campaign of political and cultural domination against ethnic minorities. Ethnic minority women also represent ‘borderlands of security’ because women’s organisations belonging to different ethnic groups have transcended borders between ethnicities and formed alliances based on gender identity. These networks have proven to be successful in national and international advocacy, and they have managed to effectively raise awareness on sexual violence within Myanmar and internationally. The position of belonging to an ethnic group and being women in Myanmar has not relegated ethnic minority women to a permanent position of ‘borderlands of insecurity’; conversely it has translated itself in a strength, a venue for possibility to improve women’s security. The experience of inter-ethnic networks has demonstrated the commitment and ability of women’s groups to work across borders, promote and respect ethnic diversity, overcome ethnic differences and divisions and work effectively together for a common cause. As a result of their work, these networks have reached considerable achievements in terms of women’s security as demonstrated by a reduction of the incidence of rapes during the last few years.
