UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA and UNWomen are co-chairs of the Myanmar Network for the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and UNFPA currently holds the rotating mantle of global PSEA champion for the United Nations. 

In Myanmar, a PSEA Network has been functioning under the Humanitarian Country Team since 2018.  In 2020, inter-agency funds were available to conduct research into community knowledge on PSEA and produce awareness-raising materials on PSEA.  These awareness-raising materials were produced in response to a shift in programming approaches due to COVID-19 and were developed without consultation with communities due to the urgency in addition to limited physical interactions with communities.  There is a need to ensure that community members, particularly different sectors such as women, men, boys, girls, people with disabilities and LGBTIQ people are able to understand these concepts and how to report an allegation. 

Research conducted by ActionAid Myanmar in 2020 highlights the fact that internally displaced people in Kachin and Northern Shan States in addition to young people living in conflict areas have a low understanding of SEA.  The report also highlights the fact that survivors are reluctant to report allegations due to concerns of confidentiality and not knowing where to report. 

Therefore, the goal of this activity is to improve the quality and efficacy of PSEA awareness raising materials and methodologies in Myanmar. The project involves testing the materials with targeted groups (that is, women, older people, and people with disabilities) among affected populations in conflict-affected states in Myanmar. Testing should also be done with humanitarian and development actors. The results of the testing will then inform the revision or development of revised and expanded materials, (available in local languages according to community preferences assessed through research) as well as tip sheets for aid workers available in English and Burmese on effective communication with communities on SEA. All resources would be available to all actors in Myanmar for production and dissemination.  Materials developed should also include information on how to report, according to preferences as expressed by different groups.  Given the current political situation in Myanmar in addition to the switch to remote programming following COVID-19 movement restrictions, the research should also explore how to promote reporting methods that are both preferred, confidential and accessible.