FILE PHOTO: Sandar Min, centre, an individual candidate for the upcoming election and former parliament member from ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, walks with volunteers during an election campaign at her constituency in Yangon, Myanmar Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The number of women candidates has increased compared to previous elections. - AP
YANGON: A total of 1,183 female parliamentary candidates will run in Myanmar's 2025 general election, according to the country's Information Team of the National Defence and Security Council.
The number of women candidates has increased compared to previous elections, with 908 in 2020 and 799 in 2015, the information team said.
The increase in female participation is due to the adoption of the proportional representation system, which has encouraged more women to enter politics, U Khin Maung Oo, a member of the Union Election Commission, told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Daw Than Than Nu, chairperson of the Democratic Party, said that greater female involvement in politics is a positive trend.
"Women are aware of household needs and rising commodity prices. They believe that by entering parliament, they can help address such issues," she said, adding that 14 candidates from her party will contest the election, half of whom are women.
According to the country's constitution, all citizens are guaranteed equal rights under the law regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion. However, due to the country's traditional culture and customs, the proportion of women participating in elections and political processes has remained low.
Efforts will be made to increase the participation of female candidates in future elections, the information team said.
Myanmar's multiparty democratic general election is scheduled to begin in phases on Dec. 28, 2025. - Xinhua
