KAREN WOMEN SHATTER SILENCE ON MILITARY RAPE IN BURMA Karen Women's Organization has launched a new report named "Shattering Silences" documenting sexual violence committed by the Burmese military regime in Karen State.

The Karen Women's Organization is a community-based organization of Karen women working in development/relief in the refugee camps on the Thai border and with IDPs inside Burma. The objectives of the KWO are to empower Karen women, to increase women's participation in decision-making at all levels and to achieve equality with men. 

Background

The Karen of Burma have been fighting for their freedom and rights for more than 50 years. Many have fled to safety across the border in Thailand. There are approx. 115,000 Karen refugees in  refugee camps along the Thai-Burma Border (Feb 2002). A further 200,000+ Karen are internally displaced inside Kawthoolei (Karen State, Burma) - displaced from their villages, their houses burned, their livestock killed, their crops and food stores destroyed, they are hiding in the jungle in fear of death, rape, violence, forced labor and forced resettlement at the hands of the Burmese army.

The Karen Women's Organization (KWO) was established fifty years ago, in 1949. For the first 25 years the political situation restricted the growth and activities of the KWO. However, the organisation was able to maintain small independent chapters providing welfare for soldiers at the frontline and direct assistance to women and their families. In 1975, the KWO re-organized into a central body to link up and better coordinate its objectives.

During that time the KWO expanded its activities to include:

•       Organisational training for women

•       Health education

•       Public education campaigns on various issues

•       Activities to promote the value of education

•       Welfare assistance

The KWO has a membership of 30,000 women, with members contributing one baht, (4 US cents) annually, in membership fees. In the last decade, two major conferences have been held that elected KWO's committee members and brought women together. We are now a dynamic organization working in the refugee camps and inside Karen State.

The Karen Women's Organization is an active member of the Women's League of Burma ( WLB), an umbrella women's organization formed in 1999 to increase dialogue and cooperation among women's organizations from different ethnic groups in Burma.

The KWO's work can be divided into 4 main areas:

•        Community care and relief

•        Education and training

•        Income generation

•        Networking and information

STRUCTURE OF KWO

Any Karen woman, above 15 years of age, is eligible for membership and election to the KWO. Each elected committee at the village and township level consists of a Chairperson, Secretary, Health/Education Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Organizing Officer and Auditor. The district and central level committees will likewise have a Vice-Chairperson and a joint Secretary and Treasurer. The Standing Committee will comprise the Executive Committee with one representative from each district committee.

Executive Committee(Central)

Standing Committee

District Committees

Township Committees

Village Committees

GOAL

To support and empower women to be able to participate in and contribute towards the struggle for democracy and equality in Burma.

OBJECTIVES OF THE KWO

1. To assist women in the endeavor to be free from all forms of oppression.

2. To promote and empower women in all spheres of life, including education and general living standards.

3. To encourage women to participate in the struggle for  freedom, democracy and equality .

4. To develop women's knowledge, ability and skills including political and organizational skills.

5. To protect the rights of women and obtain equal status with men.

6. To maintain and promote Karen culture and traditions

KWO's Projects:

1) Empowerment through education and training

•       The Karen Young Women's Leadership School offers training in community development, politics, environment, women's rights, leadership skills and gender awareness.

•       Capacity Building - skills training and support for women community development Workers.

•       Women's Literacy  - Using literacy as a tool of empowerment and confidence building for women.

•       Income Generation - to attack poverty and support self-reliance - through the upgrading of skills in traditional weaving and the use of natural dyes, micro-business and cotton planting.

2) Promotion of equality, freedom and peace-building through networking, information dissemination and documentation.

3) Health - adolescent, reproductive and women's health, HIV/AIDS awareness etc;

4) Community care and Relief - support for the vulnerable such as the elderly, new arrivals and unaccompanied children, clothing and medicines for IDPs, nappies and soap for new mothers. Other activities include; libraries; safe houses, publications; nursery schools; cultural competitions, sports for women; self-defense for women, community gardens..

5) Host of local "Women's Exchange" meetings

For further information, please email <kwo@loxinfo.co.th> & www.karenwomen.org