When the Burmese military junta cracked down on pro-democracy activists throughout the country in 1988, students and other activists fled for Burma's border areas with Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and China to continue the struggle for democracy and human rights. Politically active women joined various political and student organizations to fight against the military dictatorship.

In 1995, a group of young female students, who had left Burma for the Thai-Burma border after the military's brutal crackdown on the popular uprising, formed the Burmese Women's Union (BWU) to work for the rights of women and to provide much-needed support for women in the refugee camps along the border.

Burma is a multi-ethnic and richly resourced country. However, ethno-political conflict, which started in the 1940-50s, continues today in many border areas. Isolationist policies enforces by the military junta on the entire country since 1962 sealed the people inside Burma have not had the opportunity to learn about, or participate in, the human rights and women's rights movements taking place in other parts of the world. Moreover, there is no possibility of fostering genuine national reconciliation processes fundamental for a peaceful Burma and successful transition to democratic political systems. By crating a forum for the various women organizations of different ethnic backgrounds to discuss the common problems and goals, the BWU hopes to improve cooperation among the women's groups of Burma in exile.

The organizational structure of BWU contains threefold: the congress, the central committee (CC), and the central executive committee (CEC). The CEC consists of seven members: chairperson, general secretary, joint general secretary, foreign relations in-charge, organizing and educational in-charge, regional management in-charge and alliance relations in-charge. Each CEC representative serves a two-year term after which the congress convenes and elections are held. Under the CEC are sex regional committees led by elected central committee members. Four committees are based on the Thai-Burma border, one on China border, and another one on India border. In addition, BWU has members in Australia, Canada, the USA, Norway and Japan.

The BWU's first congress, held in January 1998, laid down the priorities for the first CEC to implement, which was to focus on building relationships and working with ethnic-based women organizations on the borders towards the formation of an umbrella front. The CEC made every effort to implement this task through various approaches such as organizing training and workshops in which women from other organizations were invited to participate and share experiences, needs and concerns. With the collective efforts of ten other women organizations, the umbrella front, Women's League of Burma (WLB), was successfully formed in December 1999.

The BWU's second congress was held in November 2002 and priority areas laid down by the congress are: To work for the national reconciliation process and create a culture of peace by raising women's voices and concerns, empowering the women of Burma from all spheres of the society and promoting women's increased participation in the Burmese democratic movement.

BWU third congress was held in November 2002, all the works have been reviewed with the lesson from the weakness, BWU drew new reasonable and realistic plans for the future. New 7 executive committee members were elected for the next two years term. As an outcome of the congress, BWU changed it main target group to migrant women workers. BWU prioritize to work on issues awareness, building relationship with migrant workers, empowerment and capacity building.

BWU forth congress was held in January 2005. The conference reviewed the organization's aim and objectives and it's constitution and it's 10 years work in the struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma and promotion of women's participation in Burmese politics and women's human rights and gender equality in Burmese society. The conference laid down future work plans and amended it's objectives and constitution and the new leadership for next 2-years term was elected.

An independent organization with the aim to organize women along the Thailand-Burma, India-Burma and China-Burma borders as well as internationally, BWU opens its membership to all women of Burma regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, marital status, sexual preference, or livelihood. The word "Burmese" use by the union represents the residents of Burma.

• To promote the role of women in Burma
• To efficiently increase the contribution of women in the struggle for democracy and human rights and establishment of a genuine democratic federal union.
• To advocate for the acceptance and exercise of women's rights in the Burmese society according to the standard recognized internationally.
• To use women capacity to establish stable peace and long-term development in the society in future.

1. Internship program:
   
   
• In January to June 2002, BWU provided an internship program for two members at its office. One intern came from the Ranong region and the other from Mae Sot. They learned skills such as word processing, emailing, book-keeping, filing, and office management. They participated in political and women issues discussions organized by the BWU office administrator and attended BWU membership meeting.
• In October 2003- September 2004 , Library organized an internship program for eight high school girls from the border area who came from inside Burma . Girls from inside Burma have less political and general knowledge as compared with girls and women on the border, so the internship was established in order to educate them about politics, computers, English language, Human rights, and Women rights. They will continue their internship for one year. During the internship period the BWU managed a Basic English class and some computer training. The young women were encouraged to practice their listening skills by tuning in to radio news programs from BBC, VOA and RFA on Burmese international news, and enhance their reading skills with political books and magazines. The interns meet regularly to share their opinions and knowledge about current events in Burma and around the world, and weekly discussions led by guest speakers have been organized for them. Some of the topics included were human rights, women's rights, gender equality and peace building, civil society, and law issues. The interns also participate in a weekly discussion held at the BWU library and have been introduced to BWU activities including other political organizations' activities based along the Thai-Burma border. They also attend workshops and meeting within Mae Sot area.
• In January to June 2004, BWU organized a six months internship program at its headquarters for three members who finished high school in different refugee camps along Thai-Burma border and need further education. The internship aims to train them in office management and increase their political awareness in order to build self-confidence and develop their knowledge and skills. Basic computer skills, political knowledge, general knowledge and English classes were provided. During the internship these girls are encouraged to listen to the radio new from BBC and VOA, which relate news on the current Burmese political situation and also international news, which they regularly share with one another.
  
  
2. Income-generating projects: These projects are organized by the regional organizing committees, which contribute to the social welfare of members. BWU Regions NO.2 and 5 organized a pig-farming project in the camps to help members generate income to support their families. In region NO.2, monthly regular meetings were held to update each other on pig feeding project, pig's health and the progress and risks.
   
   
3. Nursery schools: The nursery school in Region No.1 has been operating since 1988. The school supports its members by providing free education to their children and mothers time to focus on other areas such as jobs, personal development or their pursue on education. Three teachers are provided for 25 children.
   
   
4. Libraries: These libraries reach out especially to Burmese women migrants' workers in Thailand , China and India . Region No.2 has also a small library. To encourage member's knowledge and reading skill, the BWU provides a small library with journals, cartoons and magazines in Region NO.2 members and their families and middle school girls from the camp enjoy their time with reading in this small library.
   
   
5. Trainings, workshops and seminars: To empower women and develop their skills and capacities, training, workshops and seminars are regularly conducted for members and non-members and documented and undocumented migrant women workers in Thailand , China and India .
   
   
6. Drop-in Center : Through this program BWU assists migrant women workers in Mae Sod by providing them which much needed skills and learning opportunities. Most of the women workers have jobs in the factory; they work long hours to support their families and have very little free time. Any extra time that is not spent at work is spent on household chores or parental responsibilities. They are left with no time for studying, reading or even taking a break. A combination of low wages and no free time means that these women cannot afford to pay for, or have time to participate in, classes that would upgrade their skills and grant them greater employment opportunities. They need sewing skills to improve their chances for higher- paying jobs but most are unable to attend sewing training.

BWU saw an opportunity to help these women by establishing a drop in center that would relieve them of some of their household duties while at the same time offering a space for personal growth. The women receive free sewing training and can use the laundry services. Books and documentary videos are also provided at the center. Each month between 46-50 women workers visit the center from different factories. Many come on the weekends to read, share their views on women's rights, and speak out about their difficulties center holds discussion on issues and migrant worker's right, women's rights and gender equality, human rights, child rights, peace building, conflict transformation, non-violence for social change and community organizing to build their capacity. The BWU believes in offering a space for these women to use as a forum where they can learn from each other, exchange opinions and concerns and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

7. Publications: The BWU produces a variety of publications.
• Dove Newsletter: Dove or "Kyoe-Lin-Pya" in Burmese is a bi-monthly women journal published in Burmese language. It carries commentaries on the issues of women and gender within the Burmese society, and portrays the lives of women in Burma under the military dictatorship. Some women's stories are included in order to publicize the day-to-day difficulties women encounter because of their gender. There are reports about the women's movement around the world, and reports about issues such as women and peace, and women and the law. Dove is distributed along the Burma borders with India , China and Thailand , where other pro-democracy groups, women's groups, refugees and migrant workers are based. BWU members abroad, as well as to other international supporters and organizations, also receive copies.
  
  
• Cycle of Suffering: A research-based report detailing the complex difficulties and tragedies faced by migrant women from Burma , specifically in Thailand .
• Women's Human Rights Manual: Covering the history of the women's movement, international human rights law and treaties, gender and advocacy, this manual is the first of its kind in Burmese language.
• Domestic Violence Handbook: BWU published the Domestic Violence Handbook in September 2003. The book aims to increase awareness on the issue of domestic violence and particularly how it effecs women's rights. It provides a definition of domestic violence, the basic reason why it occurs and ways of dealing with it as an individual and within the community. The handbook was distributed to both women's and men's organizations and to the women in refugee camps and migrant worker communities along Burma 's border areas. The Domestic Violence Handbook has also made its way to women inside Burma . In August 2004, another 1500 copies were reprinted and distributed.
• Sexually Harassment Handbook: Covering sexual assault, background and other information etc.
• Joint report on Women Political Prisoners report with the cooperation of AAPP (Assistant Association for Political Prisoners both Burmese and English version.
• Printed two organization activities report, 1998-2000/ 2001 –2004


8. Joint Reports: Under the auspices of the Women's League of Burma (WLB), members of the BWU participated in the production of three reports presented at international forum.
   
   
• "Women in and from Conflict Areas of Burma": Distributed at the Beijing +5 Conference in June 2000, this report focuses on reproductive health, violence against women, basic needs and education for women in conflict areas.
• " Burma : The Current State of Women in Conflict Areas – A Shadow Report to the 22 nd Session of CEDAW": Presented to the Committee of CEDAW in January 2000, this report provides alternative information to the Burmese military's report.
• "Breaking the Silence": Distributed at the Commission on Status of Women (CSW) in March 2002, this report focuses on environmental degradation and its impact on the lives of women in Burma.
  
  
9. Networking: BWU work together with various NGOs, political based groups, youth groups, different ethnic nationalities group and women groups. BWU members in regions, programs based areas and main offices actively participate and facilitate the monthly 'Women Exchange' sponsored by Migrant Assistant Program (MAP) Foundation. Work in collaboration with Mae Tao Clinic on health issues.