The Statement on Cooperative Identity states that a cooperative is an “autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common social and economic objective”. ‎Cooperatives are inclusive and open to all without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.

Until 2019, around 39,452 primary level cooperatives have been formed in Myanmar with 4,227,418 members, out of which 42% are women members. It shows that women’ interest and participation in cooperatives is nearly equal to men. However, as compared to the total women population in Myanmar, which was 27,887,438 in 2019, only 6.4% of women are in the cooperative sector. Therefore, there is a need to encourage women membership in cooperatives.

Women in cooperatives and women-only cooperatives realize that cooperatives offer opportunities to enhance family income and positively impact socio-economic development. Women in Myanmar do not wish to invest their time only in household chores anymore but actively participate in cooperatives as well. 

Women are the heart and soul of a family, managing the family affairs with limited resources comes naturally to them. They are trained as managers through family management. Cooperatives are initiated collectively and with their good managerial skills, women find it easy to adjust and work with fellow people in cooperatives. Being an expert in family management, women find cooperatives suitable for them and can best utilize their abilities in the cooperative movement.

Setting up a private enterprise requires large investments and generally women do not have that much money. Cooperatives are based on the spirit of cooperation with individual share value, voluntary and open membership. It can be a viable option as multiple women can pool in a small amount of money and start a cooperative. Cooperatives are owned by all their members and can improve their socio-economic status as an added advantage. 

Today, women in Myanmar are much more empowered and active in social, political, and economic fields. The concept of gender equality is familiar among people and is positively improving. Women are actively involved in cooperative movement too. Strengthening women membership and promoting women participation in cooperatives are essential for the development of the cooperative movement in the country. Government support and encouragement is vital and needed more. Existing cooperatives are required to make effective efforts towards sustainability and increase women membership and involvement in cooperatives.

To improve the socio-economic development of women in the cooperative movement in Myanmar, the following comprehensive approach is being used and will be replicated as a best practice.