Britain-Burma Society Lecture – November 2019

Jennifer Rigby is an award-winning British journalist who lived and worked in Yangon, Myanmar, in 2015 and 2016. She specialises in women’s rights, social affairs and people stories, and during her time in Myanmar travelled extensively around the country meeting its women – and men – and hearing their stories. She became fascinated by the role women were playing in its much-discussed ‘transition’, a fascination which ultimately turned into a book that was published in 2018, featuring the stories of 12 women from across the country. The book’s title, The Other Ladies of Myanmar, obviously refers to Aung San Suu Kyi’s honorific nickname, but also brings attention to the fact that we rarely hear from other Burmese women in the rest of the world.

Jennifer will discuss some of the stories she heard from these 12 remarkable women, as well as her take on what feminism means in Myanmar. She will talk about women from across the spectrum – from the artist who defied the junta to hand out sanitary towels at her exhibition to a leading businesswoman; from the feminist Buddhist nun to the pop star – and examine how their voices tell the story of a changing country.

Refreshments: samosas, biscuits, tea, coffee and juice from 7.00pm onwards. Lecture begins at 7.30pm.

ADMISSION £10.00 (£5.00 for students on production of their Student Union card)

Please pay by bank transfer (NatWest Bank Account No: 13199226. Sort Code: 56-00-03) OR by cheque made payable to The Britain-Burma Society send to Keith Win, Honorary Treasurer – click here to contact Keith. Bank transfer preferred.