A Representative from the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF)

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Starting Point

The Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF), a non-governmental organisation, was formed on 20 December 2003. It involves all states and regions up to wards and villages. It is a voluntary community-based organisation, including women members from all walks of life. To date, there are 5.7 million members. The MWAF's key mission is to promote the welfare and advancement of women in Myanmar to enable them to participate fully in national development. Their vision is “Advancement and Protection of Women.” 

Given the development of the competency of women with men, the organisation elevates the capacity of Women, through prevention of all kinds of violence and human trafficking and assisting in healthcare, education and socio-economic development of women. To achieve the development of the nation, peace must prevail. Therefore, all parties concerned should participate in the negotiation. When the Members met with some women from Myanmar’s ethnic armed organisations, they expressed that they want peace as early as possible and wish to stay in peace and freedom. In this light, they want non-signatory EAOs to sign the NCA. Sustainable peace can be achieved through political means rather than military means. It is learnt that the government has held several negotiations on NCA, and the door is still open for negotiations. 

MWAF focuses on enhancing the capacity of women through various training programs, workshops and skill development initiatives. These activities aim to empower women economically, socially and politically by providing them with the necessary knowledge and Skills to participate actively in decision-making processes at all levels.

As one of the key supporting pillars in building the nation, the MWAF, as an NGO, has focused on the following key missions: learning traditions among the national races; Wearing traditional dress/ costume; educating health awareness and providing vaccine in native lands of our national races, which locate in remote and challenging to access the public health care system by the Government; funding capital for job opportunities and technical assistances to the native women; educating and sharing knowledge on health, human trafficking and, protection and prevention of women rights published in different dialects of the national races under the projects by the Government; and educational programs in some impede lands under the Government’s projects. These missions are believed to be able to assist in the unity, harmony, and friendship among the national races, and drive the development of the Union.

Peace Journey

In order to prevent, protect and reduce a conflict, awareness activities and the distribution of pamphlets were carried out. If any information is received in advance, they will disseminate it so they can promptly reach out to the authorities. MWAF members participated in the peace conferences. Members made a study tour under the Women, Peace and Security Program organised by the Nyein Foundation (a CSO working for a peaceful and just society). They took part in the seminar in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Switzerland. During the study tours, members made friends and cooperated with other participants. Women’s views and inspirations should be thoroughly reviewed and considered priorities in the implementation.

MWAF conducts several activities to achieve mutual respect and amity among the National races. They are (1) outreach activities to the under develop ethnic regions for the promotion of health, education, economy and to give awareness regarding women's right with their respective local language; (2) observe and vitalise the customs, traditions, and cultures of the national races; (3) supporting learning materials and construction of schools and school latrines; (4) enhancement of economy among ethnic women, vocational trainings, giving out capitals for investment and findings jobs opportunities were carried out in the respective regions; (4) fostering union spirit and to preserve the customs and traditions among the girl child; (5) supporting stipend to those girls who cannot afford to continue the higher education; (6) supporting women in the conflict and disaster hit areas; and (6) reintegration, rehabilitation and supporting of traffic victims.

Section 3: Success Stories

Members can learn different perspectives from other participants, present about women’s rights, and rebuff different accusations towards Tatmadaw (Military) by the EAOs, with tolerance. According to the proposals for the third point at the first Panglong (peace conference), the ratio of women should be 30 per cent. Accordingly, it was found that the head count of women’s participation was 243, equal to 22 per cent out of 1112 representatives at the conference. It is seen that the ratio of the involvement by women in the government, Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw is higher than before. By promoting the advancement and protection of the life security of ethnic women, they benefit from their security of life and, in turn, reduce the obstacles to the peace process.

The challenges for women are education, experience, and knowledge in peacebuilding. Laws related to Women’s Rights should be enacted, such as the Law on Violence against Women. In the meantime, women should be encouraged to understand factual difficulties and practical needs, and gender inequality towards them should be presented and discussed in person in the peace talks.