Gender Dynamics in Exclusionary Buddhist Protectionism: Research Findings from Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (full report)

Buddhism has an historical association with non-violence and pacifism, yet recent developments have seen the emergence of exclusionary movements that employ violence and/or its justification to ‘protect’ Buddhism. These movements, which we refer to as Exclusionary Buddhist Protectionism (EBP), have resulted in increased intolerance, hate speech, and violence against ethnic and religious minorities in South and Southeast Asia. While EBP has gained visibility, little attention has been given to its gendered dimensions, in particular to the role of gender norms, identity, and ideology in supporting, promoting and legitimizing violence or the threat of it. Violent EBP groups have been disseminating false information, transmitting violent messages, and exploiting societal conflicts through propaganda across all three countries in this study: Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. This report provides an overview of the findings from the “Gender Dynamics and Exclusionary Buddhist Protectionism” research project conducted over a two-year period, 2022-2023. This research study was led by Monash University on behalf of the Networks for Peace project, which is funded by the Regional Development Mission for Asia of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI 360 under the USAID Strengthening Civil Society Globally (SCS Global) Leader with Associates Award. Networks for Peace is designed to foster collective engagement across Asia and support communities and countries to promote intra- and interfaith harmony in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Tibetan community in exile in India. Using a mixed-method design, which involved quantitative analysis of nationally representative surveys in Sri Lanka and Thailand (n=1000 each) and qualitative analysis of key informant interviews (153) and focus group discussions (67), the research project employed a comparative approach to analyze the relationship between gender and EBP. In Sri Lanka and Thailand, qualitative data collection took place in three different regions, while in Myanmar only Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted due to the security situation and ongoing conflicts in that country. The research explored the norms regarding appropriate roles for women and men in the Buddhist religion and the gender differences between women’s and men’s perceptions regarding threats to Buddhism and the protection of the religion. The study specifically investigated the roles that women and men play within EBP movements, the activities they undertake, and the opportunities and constraints they experience due to existing gender norms and power structures. The findings of the research provide insight into the complex interplay of gender, nationalism, and religion. They show there is a critical need to address issues of exclusion, violence, and intolerance associated with EBP. Across the three cases, EBP is strongest in Myanmar, followed by Sri Lanka, with the least support in Thailand. This becomes evident when considering people’s degree of concern about EBP, their likelihood of justifying violence to protect Buddhism, and their agreement with anti-Muslim statements. We find that women significantly influence the workings of EBP, albeit in subordinate roles. Women’s presence in serving the monastic order is crucial to strengthening the ‘internal’ base of the religion and supporting its ‘external’ protection. Gender hierarchy is built within the Buddhist religion and is inextricable from EBP and its spread.