From gender roles to disability rights: five animations exploring social issues in Myanmar

October 23, 2023
Kayan animation

One animation explores the education opportunities for young Kayan girls

UNDP has been working with Yangon Film School to produce a series of animated videos focusing on important social issues in Myanmar.

Through these videos, we are shining a light on communities that face discrimination. We hope to help break down barriers, build acceptance between different groups, and ultimately celebrate diversity in Myanmar.

All the animations are interpreted into sign language, and available in Burmese, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan languages on our YouTube channel.

Challenging sexism and gender roles

What we study, what work we choose to do and how we spend our free time should not be decided by whether we are born a girl or boy.

Let's embrace diversity and encourage every person to be who they want to be. 

Overcoming barriers to education and healthcare for Myanmar's Ta'ang people 

Did you know the word "Ta-ang" means "edge"? It refers to the steep slopes on which Ta-ang communities live and cultivate their crops. Reaching high schools from these remote areas can be very difficult. Then, if they make it to the classrooms, language barriers can make learning a challenge. Many Ta-ang people do not finish school.

Hear about how one Ta-ang man opened his own school to give back to his community. 

Changing the way people think about disabilities  

A person should not be defined by their disability, and it should never stop anyone from living their life to its full potential. Despite being born blind and not attending school until he was nine, this story follows someone who overcame numerous challenges in his life to campaign for the rights of people with disabilities in Myanmar today.

Building acceptance of people's sexual orientation 

The best gift we can give our children is to love, respect, and accept them for who they are. No one should live a life pretending to be someone they are not. 

Facing barriers to education: The story of young Kayan girls in Myanmar 

From being bullied and discriminated against in school, to having to leave home to earn money posing for tourists, young Kayan girls face many barriers to getting a decent education in Myanmar.

We must cherish and embrace the strength of cultural diversity, not discriminate against it.