Written by the SecDev Foundation
The Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative is releasing three new studies that explore the digital tools being used to combat authoritarianism, and the state of awareness on online fraud and other cyber crimes.
“Governance in exile: Examining the National Unity Government’s digital services efforts in Myanmar” analyzes the challenges in implementing digital services initiated by the National Unity Government (NUG). The study untangles the complicated relationship between technological systems and the socio-political context in which they operate. The focus is on the digital initiatives undertaken by three NUG ministries – the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Investment, and the Ministry of Education – which are currently at the forefront of providing public services in the digital space.
“Fandom and freedom fighters: The role of pop fandom activism in fundraising for Myanmar’s revolution” delves into the influential role of pop culture-fandoms in supporting Myanmar’s post-coup revolution, through fundraising activities primarily conducted on social media platforms, notably Facebook. The study argues that these fandoms contribute to societal transformation in Myanmar, given the scope and scale of their fundraising endeavors.
“Digital swindles: Understanding and combating online scams in Myanmar” analyzes the multifaceted aspects of online scamming, focusing on the awareness levels of Myanmar people. The research assesses the current policies in place to combat online scams, evaluating their effectiveness and identifying potential gaps, to provide insights into how individuals can respond when encountering online fraud.
These studies are part of the K4DM small grants initiative, which supports emerging scholars in Myanmar. Each paper addresses key issues in how the military coup has affected gender dynamics and contributed to the worsening human rights situation for women across the country. Upcoming publications will continue to explore a broad range of critical themes.