Myanmar

• Our office: Yangon
• Our areas of focus: Social cohesion, sexual and reproductive health and rights, humanitarian responses
• Our partners: Access to Health

About our work

BBC Media Action began working in Myanmar in 2013, as state media moved to a more public-service model, independent media outlets began springing up, and the country opened-up to the internet – resulting in one of the fastest-growing rates of social media usage anywhere in the world. But complex internal divisions between ethnic and political groups remain, exacerbated by the proliferation of online hate speech and misinformation among audiences with poor digital literacy.

Until 2021, much of our work in Myanmar was about bridging these divides.

Our much-loved peacebuilding radio drama, Tea Cup Diaries, ran for more than six years, and our vibrant TV documentary series Khan Sar Kyi (‘Feel it’), which was set to begin its second season in February 2021 (before the military coup took place), opened our audiences to diverse cultures and identities within the country, helped communities understand one another, and promoted peaceful discussion and conflict resolution. Both shows reached millions of people across the country and digital outreach and engagement continued these important discussions online; both projects have almost one million followers on Facebook alone.

Research suggests our audiences are encouraged to be more open to social interaction with people of different religions, and to discuss peace-related issues in their communities. Our team has also worked to understand and improve the digital literacy of young Facebook users to inform future work tackling false and misleading information. And our Yay Kyi Yar (‘Towards Clearer Waters’) TV debate and discussion shows helped Myanmar’s millions of migrant workers understand the risks and opportunities of migration, know their labour rights, and manage their money effectively.

The February 2021 military coup in Myanmar required a shift in our approach and our projects.

Amid ongoing uncertainty, we are continuing to deliver a number of health-related projects, primarily on digital platforms. Through our innovative, digitally-led sexual and reproductive health and rights project Ma Shet Ne (Don’t Be Shy), we’re tackling the societal shame around premarital sex which prevents open discussions around sexual health. Our Tu Tu Pae ("We're the Same") project, implemented from 2022 to 2023, aimed to break down stigma and stereotypes surrounding people living with disabilities. In 2023, our nutrition-focused initiative, Mikhin Metta("A Mother's Love"), supported young parents — especially mothers — by promoting improved water, sanitation, hygiene practices, and nutrition for healthier babies and young children.