An Analysis of Social Capital and Women’s Capacity Building in Myanmar

Abstract

From the period 1988 to 2010, there have been approximately 60 international non-government organizations (INGOs) leading humanitarian activities in Burma/Myanmar . To date, very little research has been conducted analyzing either the depth or breadth of network-based social capital or the effectiveness of capacity building programmes of humanitarian INGOs with respect to networking, social entrepreneurship, capacity building and targeted populations, particularly to in relation to disaster related events. Hence, this study aims to go some way towards filling that gap asking “how can networks promote the building of social capital and women’s capacity building in Myanmar”. Taken into account are the various roles that women within the networks can play as well as the roles of other stakeholders, such as the INGO volunteers, and various governments in the support process. The research question is addressed through case study analysis focusing on a Myanmar based INGO program involved in economic development for women and girls who lost family members and property after Cyclone Nargis hit Labutta in 2008. This chapter focuses on a sample group from the INGO project that included 27 rural villages covering approximately 1,200 households comprising Cyclone Nargis survivors. The women involved were provided with interest free refundable micro loans by the INGO and achieved varying degrees of success which is attributed to their willingness and capacity for networking and the building of social capital in this chapter. Potentially, the findings will provide assistance to other INGO programs operating under similar circumstances. In particular through providing insights into the need for flexibility when delivering programmes that are targeted towards supporting women’s capacity building in poor communities.