The Myanmar Medical Council has recently suspended the medical license of a 28-year-old model and doctor, Nang Mwe San for posting photos of herself on Facebook in revealing outfits.
On her Facebook page, she often posts photos of herself wearing tight dresses, lingerie, swimwear and even traditional Burmese clothing in sexy poses.
A general physician for four years, Mwe San stopped practicing two years ago to pursue a modeling career. The move to revoke her license bans her from medical practice.
According to the letter posted on her Facebook page, the council said Mwe San had continued to post photos of herself in outfits that did “not fit with Burmese tradition” despite promising to stop doing so after a warning in January this year.
Mwe San’s post of the council’s letter has drawn more than 18,000 reactions and 5,600 comments.
Shunn Lei, a founder of the Myanmar feminist magazine Rainfall, said the case of Mwe San was an example of society’s control of women’s bodies in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
“Sexism is rooted in the mindset of the Burmese. The problem is our patriarchal society equates a woman’s role with protecting Burmese traditions and culture,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
“Whenever a model poses for sexy photos, it’s always against Burmese culture. But what is Burmese culture? I don’t really get it.”
Talking about the revocation of her medical license, Mwe San said she has not been in contact with the council yet, but she planned to appeal their decision.
“There are many important ethical issues in Myanmar’s medical sector. I don’t want them wasting time taking care of minor issues like my modeling,” she said.
“But whatever I’m facing, I won’t give up my modeling profession,” she added.
