Starting Point
The interviewed Rakhine Woman Activist is involved in the work of a local ethnic group and willing to contribute in any sector according to what she believes is right. The country is in decline, and women face discrimination. She dislikes being treated unfairly. These factors motivated her to contribute as a building block for the country, even in a small way. Her role model is “Mother Teresa, " whom she highly respects.
Peace Journey
She has undertaken roles as a mediator, a problem solver, and someone who presents solutions to the public. She has also worked to raise awareness on resolving conflicts peacefully and provided capacity-building initiatives.
In 2012, the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA), which is based in Thailand and India, attempted to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on behalf of Rakhine State. During that time, she actively engaged in efforts to bring together the people of Rakhine for this cause. In 2013, after approximately four years of hard work, the first and largest Arakan National Conference took place in Kyaukphyu. During the conference, she was one of the seven members appointed to the highest decision-making body, the steering committee. They united all 18 townships in Rakhine and gathered over 5,000 people at the Kyaukphyu conference, initiating peace processes in the region.
In addition, she has always prioritised addressing issues related to the suffering and discrimination of women and children. Currently, she is working in conflict-affected areas like Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U, supporting women who are caught in the midst of ongoing clashes. The Arakan Women’s Network, which she helped establish, consists of 19 members. Regardless of the problem or situation, whether it is ethnic or military, it is always the women and children who suffer the most. Traditional structures still dominate, and men continue to be reluctant to accommodate the role of women. This was evident during the peace process when she advocated for 30% women’s representation at the Panglong (Peace Conference).
In recent years, she has also delivered training on gender equality, highlighting the need to bring women out of traditional roles, such as being confined to the kitchen. Furthermore, she has extended support not only for Rakhine women but also for Muslims subjected to violence, focusing on their identity as women, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
The organisation, remaining anonymous, continues to serve as a voluntary service. At 33, she took to the streets, joining the 1988 demonstrations, fighting for democracy. Although she is a Buddhist, she gets along well with everyone and even managed to pull conservative Muslim ladies out from their dwellings to come to learn about women’s rights. Switzerland donated to her request to set up a mortuary for Sittwe Hospital. However, her fellow citizens did not acknowledge this achievement.
Violence against women is rampant. A case in point is a woman already becoming a grandmother at age 34. When that lady and her daughter both became rape victims, they were offered compensation to drop the case. Nothing could stop her as a real fighter from pursuing the case. Her untiring efforts led to the arrest of the two rapists from the army who were eventually sentenced to 22 years imprisonment.
After the Arakan Army (AA) took over her area, Mrauk Oo & Kyauktaw townships, it was not possible for her to fight for rape victims anymore in the presence of two armies. She gave an example of one soldier who refused to marry when he impregnated a woman. Now, the organisation must care for the woman and her 2-year-old baby. Another case has to do with a nurse badly beaten by a doctor and his wife. Unfortunately, the doctor and nurse were transferred to two different places without any action being taken against the doctor, as he holds a higher position. There was nothing the respondent could do. Moreover, it has been witnessed that severe punishments were committed by warring parties, such as punishing wrongdoers and leaving their dead bodies afloat.
There was also no one to teach her English or Politics, as she wished when she came out of prison, saying she was overconfident.
Success Stories
In 2022, she was honored for her untiring efforts in the fight for rape victims by the Indian Embassy. The lesson she has learnt is to consider stop fighting for rape victims as the activists may risk their lives. She never accuses men of not agreeing with her cause. Instead, she makes them come to realise on their own. Another lesson is not to interfere between a husband and wife. In support of Women’s rights and Justice, nothing will stop her from fighting neither for money nor for title, but only in the interest of the people and Myanmar. In short, she will carry on her mission till death.
As for more women participating in the peace process, she said that, first and foremost, women should adopt a considerate attitude towards other women. She mentioned one moment when, at the end of Daw Aye Nu Sein’s speech at the Panglong (peace conference), no one, not even Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, gave an ovation. This means women in high positions are not embracing each other. In trying to coax women to participate in the peace process, she first, with much difficulty, has to make them come out of their shells. They even mock her.