Starting Point
Ms Naw Mildred was a mediator to mitigate conflicts between the Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) and one of the EAOs, namely the Kayin National Union (KNU). She acted as a mediator to prevent conflicts between the Tatmadaw and the No.4 KNU Brigade. She was initially involved as a school headmistress and one of the community leaders in the peace process. She retired from her teaching profession six years ago. Due to the prevailing situation, she could no longer carry on her mediator role. However, she longs for peace and tranquillity in the region. People are in trouble because of the instability in the region. Besides, nothing can be done now. If only she had been given the opportunity, she would have preferred to contribute as before. In her view, women are not deeply involved in peace processes out of fear. They also lack proper leadership.
With no peace in Dawei city itself and nearby towns like Palaw, Palauk and Launglon townships, locals, including women and children, fled their homes to escape from the fighting between Tatmadaw and EAOs. With school closures, children did not have access to education. As she is desirous of a peaceful life for the people, especially women and children, she makes an effort to save them from domestic violence, rape and family issues.
Peace Journey
Based on her experience, she feels that women’s participation and interest in peace-related sectors are low. Therefore, she wishes to raise women’s involvement in these sectors depending on the situation and time.
In the villages, she helped provide vocational training for women to generate income. She was able to resolve the issues related to women’s affairs and domestic family problems. One of the cases that she played as a mediator happened about 5 years ago. At that time, the Tatmadaw and the Kayin National Union (KNU) forces were stationed at the Htee Khee Gate and Dawei border gate. The Tatmadaw told the KNU forces to move out of the Htee Khee Gate within 3 days. As it was impossible to do so, the KNU troops sought help from her, being a civilian representative of the JMC. Finally, through her mediation, both sides reached an agreement.
She was also involved in helping young women from a Kayin village. It was a case when the parents were out harvesting rice, and two strangers took their two under-aged daughters into the forest and raped them. The villagers’ efforts to search for the culprits were in vain. As a member of the Women’s Affairs Federation of Tanintharyi Region, the victims' parents came to her. With her help, the two perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to 11 years in line with the law.
Moreover, she facilitated the youths who had passed high school from her villages to work as local teachers and nurses and opened sewing courses for young women who did not have a basic education.
Success Stories
She believed that she had achieved much success as a mediator. She was never looked down upon by either party because of her gender. She earned trust and respect from different sides. Besides, as a member of the local JMC, she initiated and organised meetings between the Tatmadaw and KNU. She convinced villagers to attend the talks, meetings, Kayin New Year celebrations, and sports events by instilling a sense of security in them.
She believes more women should be encouraged to participate in the building process. The challenges also include high rates of illiteracy in the region and a lack of support for women’s participation in building peace. Basic capacity-building trainings should be conducted at the grassroots level. The State should form organisations that include more women, and it is necessary to persuade them to participate more in peace processes. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) cannot operate at present. Local Women Peace Groups are needed.