Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has launched a stinging criticism of the treatment of women in Burma.

In an address to mark her 57th birthday on Wednesday, she said Burmese women were rarely allowed to gain positions of importance and that the situation needed to change.

The women of Burma must shape not only their own destiny but the destiny of the nation

Aung San Suu Kyi

She also praised them for their courage in overcoming the handicaps imposed on them - and appealed to them to play a greater role in paving the way for social, political and economic change.

Correspondents say she deliberately avoided a verbal attack on the Burmese Government, but some implicit criticism can be read into her statement.

Birthday message

Aung San Suu Kyi is Burma's main opposition leader, and her speech was directed at both women within the country and Burmese exiles.

'Women are the underprivileged gender'

"In Burma, as in many other parts of the world, women are the underprivileged gender," she said.

"In areas of conflict and crisis, it is our women and children who suffer most. On the other hand, our women are rarely allowed to achieve decision-making positions even though they are able and well qualified."

The pro-democracy leader also said women needed to reach their full potential for the country to make progress.

"The women of Burma must shape not only their own destiny but the destiny of the nation," she said.

They must play a vigorous and leading role in paving the way to social, political and economic changes in the country."

Aung San Suu Kyi went on to praise Burmese women for the courage they had shown in the past.

"Women have had to develop endurance and courage where they might overcome the handicaps imposed on them by outmoded prejudice."

"I would like to call upon the women of Burma to use this courage and endurance to ensure that we move forward as speedily as possible."

House arrest

Aung San Suu Kyi will be marking her birthday with the rare luxury of being free from the restrictions of house arrest.

But little has been achieved since she was freed in May. The BBC's Larry Jagan says the junta that rules the country has so far not made any attempt to talk to her.

Burma's generals seem unwilling to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as the figurehead of the pro-democracy movement in Burma in 1988.

She was held under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and again from September 2000 to May this year.

Since her release she has so far kept a low profile and avoided gestures that could embarrass or anger the junta.

Although she is free to travel outside Rangoon she has only made one major trip, and that was a private pilgrimage rather than an effort to rally political support.