Jakarta. The UK — a dialogue partner to ASEAN — is pushing for women’s presence in the peace processes for the Myanmar crisis. 

ASEAN to this day is still grappling with a problem in its backyard after Myanmar’s military overthrew the legitimate government back in February 2021. It was also that same year when London upgraded its ASEAN relations to a dialogue partnership-level, thereby paving the way for closer cooperation across different fields. On her Jakarta visit, UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra commented on the protracted Myanmar crisis and pointed out how women’s involvement could do wonders for peace processes. 

“When women meaningfully engage and participate in peace processes, it’s extraordinary to see that the result of the agreement is 64% less likely to fail,” Malhotra told a press briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday.

ASEAN sticks to the five-point consensus as its formal position to the Myanmar crisis. The plan calls for a constructive dialogue between everyone concerned for a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. Malhotra also admitted that the UK was aware of how the bloc was considering installing a permanent envoy to Myanmar. At present, the envoy keeps on changing each year depending on which country is assuming ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship. 

“It is very important to see us working together on the situation in Myanmar,” Malhotra said.

Myanmar recently held a three-phase election, which grossly favored the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. It was also the first time for the impoverished country to hold polls since the 2021 coup, although the polls were widely seen as an attempt to legitimize military power. ASEAN, too, has refused to recognize the elections. When Indonesia made its debut as the UN Human Rights Council’s chair a few days ago, Foreign Minister Sugiono also touched on the Myanmar crisis.

“Within ASEAN, Indonesia remains steadfast in encouraging progress in Myanmar through the full and effective implementation of ASEAN’s five-point consensus,” Sugiono said.

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