While 134,000 deaths are mourned in the midst of bringing aid to survivors of the Nargis cyclone, two Canadian advocacy groups are addressing another crisis that has existed in Burma for quite some time - systemic violence against women by the ruling military junta. And they're doing it by sending their underwear to the Myanmar's embassy:
The Quebec Women's Federation and the activist group Rights and Democracy claim the secretive military leaders in the country formerly known as Burma are superstitious and believe contact with women's underwear will usurp their power, CTV News reported.'The campaign was launched by women from Burma,' Rights and Democracy spokeswoman Mika Levesque told the broadcaster from Montreal. 'They believe this is a very powerful message to the military because they are very superstitious.'
The campaign is called Panties for Peace. The Burmese women's rights group Lanna Action for Burma made a statement regarding launching campaign in the midst of catastrophe: "This campaign empowers the women of Burma a sense of purpose and hope," they said, "and we need hope now more than ever."
For more info on the cyclone, check out Ann's recent post on natural disasters and women.
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I don't know. I think that people who don't live in Myanmar and don't really understand the differences in culture might just be sending their panties in jest. It's like, "Ha ha! You're scared of panties!" Sure, it'll support a good cause, but the tactic kind of pokes fun at these people's culture. There must be a way to show our support to the people of Myanmar without mocking. It just seems like a low blow, and we still have a responsibility to respect the cultural differences of other people, even if they're not doing the right thing.
And before anyone says, "So we should just sit around when people beat their wives in the name of God?" No. I think there's a difference between using one obscure passage of a religious text that could be interpreted as "beat your wife" among a bunch of clear "treat your partner with respect" passages to justify your abusive behavior and using someone's culture-bound superstitions against them.
"I don't know. I think that people who don't live in Myanmar and don't really understand the differences in culture might just be sending their panties in jest. It's like, 'Ha ha! You're scared of panties!' Sure, it'll support a good cause, but the tactic kind of pokes fun at these people's culture."
Good point. That's why this part of the post is important:
"'The campaign was launched by women from Burma,' Rights and Democracy spokeswoman Mika Levesque told the broadcaster from Montreal.'"
Heck, if they're scared of my panties and that fear will lead to an improvement in the quality of life for women, then I'll send in my panties.. or maybe get them couriered (you want to know that they arrive).
FEMily, I sincerely doubt that anybody would send their panties ONLY in jest. Just because it can be seen as funny, nobody will be doing it without the knowledge that it's for a good cause. In my mind, this is a superstition that is empowering women to bring change, and THAT is the most important thing.. hillarious or not.
While I love the idea--use men's superstition against them--isn't is superstitions like this that are behind all the misogynist laws and violence against women?
Since US culture shares the fear-of-manly-essence-sapping-panties with Burma, I'll go ahead and continue to poke fun at the belief.
Yep, Mina, I agree. This sits fine with me, since the women of Burma themselves are doing it.
Awesome.
Are only women from Burma doing it? I thought it was organized by them but that anyone can send their panties.
FEMily, I sincerely doubt that anybody would send their panties ONLY in jest. Just because it can be seen as funny, nobody will be doing it without the knowledge that it's for a good cause. In my mind, this is a superstition that is empowering women to bring change, and THAT is the most important thing.. hillarious or not.
I don't think anyone will only send their panties as a joke either, but I think people might be more likely to do it because it's funny without really knowing why they're doing it. And while it is important that women living under an oppressive regime are empowered, what does sending panties to government officials do exactly? I guess if these guys believe strongly in this superstition, then their power will really disappear through a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I love this idea.
Ick- a friend actually sent this to me thinking I would be into the panties for peace aspect of it. while the p4p is interesting this attempt at support is pretty gross IMO and the end frame with the list of volunteers and creators kind of confirms my icky feeling.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5lz2i_pop-your-panties-trailer_shortfilms
I assume so too FEMily.. In my opinion the issue is that, generally speaking, men in Burma, particularly of the junta, are making women feel powerless, which is a form of control. If they believe that panties "sap their power" then this is a way for the women of Burma to return that feeling of powerlessness which the junta has so instilled in them.
Whether or not we understand the culture is not the point. This is what the Burmese women have requested. It is not up to us to judge what we think will be helpful. We should come together in solidarity.
"Yep, Mina, I agree. This sits fine with me, since the women of Burma themselves are doing it."
"Are only women from Burma doing it? I thought it was organized by them but that anyone can send their panties."
I got the impression that some women from Burma started it, anyone can send their panties, some of the organizers are Burmese, and some are non-Burmese who listen to the Burmese ones.
Am I the only one who kind of wants to send some super-racy pair of panties? Like a crotchless lace g-string or something?
I like to cause trouble.
I'm a little confused. What will they do with the panties? Are they actually going to the women or will just be used for a protest? If women and girls were to be getting the panties on account of lack of clothing then I'd be all on board for this.