Star Power

Myanmar struggles with the idea of women as decision makers, particularly when the woman holds a public role. Yet the recent election saw a jump in the number of female office holders. Their representation in legislatures nearly tripled, from 5% to over 13%. That number still lags behind the country’s neighbors, and is far lower than the target of 30% that the UN claims is needed for parliaments to represent women's concerns.

Both health and education policy stand to gain in Myanmar because of the improved gender balance among legislators. Also, in this country there is one woman whose presence counts as several.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory helps build an alternate reality for Burmese women. She combines Eastern and Western, establishment and outsider, politician and activist, prisoner and freebird.

She even claims a certain military legacy, as her father, a general, is considered the founder of the modern armed forces in Myanmar. He remains an idol throughout the country, despite having been assassinated 68 years ago, when his daughter was just a toddler. It’s fair to say that nobody will ever again hold a pedigree like hers.

Plus, what villages, states, and institutions of all kinds in Myanmar always wait for is a hero. Ordinary people don’t think of success as coming through teamwork, but rather from following an inspiring leader.

Therefore the Lady’s years as leader of a majority party will be critical for making change here. Concerning the peace process in particular, she may have a unique set of attributes. Her father gets credit for a 1947 agreement, never implemented, that would have given ethnic groups a degree of autonomy that they have never truly possessed under a central government here.  

It’s unlikely the new political chapter now beginning here will lead to anything resembling what the West considers “women’s rights.” In past statements, “Mother Suu” has made clear she doesn’t consider herself a feminist. Even if she had such an agenda, the country’s general culture, and the military’s specific culture, might not be receptive. Yet simply by continuing to be at the front of the parade, she can’t help but ensure that a long line of women marches behind her.