Educating women: enabling or disabling – a case study

Educating women: enabling or disabling – a case study

This study argues that many women from all parts of the
globe have, for far too long, been oppressed and had their
human rights denied, regardless of education, social status,
ethnicity or wealth. This significant assertion will be
supported by the case study of Aung San Suu Kyi and her
ongoing struggle for political freedom in Burma. It is
argued that her unfortunate position illustrates the situation of women world-wide, as she strives against oppression by traditional male authority, such as a military regime. Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the most controversial female world figures, attracting international attention and endless media speculation. As the leader of the pro-democracy movement in Burma, the National League for Democracy, Suu Kyi is engaged in a fierce, protracted struggle for recognition from the country’s military leaders who consider her efforts
treasonous. In May 1990, her political party won 80% on
the vote at the parliamentary elections. Suu Kyi had been
placed under house arrest in July 1989 and for most of the
time since then has been under detention. This paper
addresses the ‘struggle for democracy’ undertaken by Aung
San Suu Kyi, her political oppression, detention and human
rights issues. This analysis focuses on her position as it
applies to women attempting to break through the “marble
ceiling” in their fight for equality.

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