Speech of Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Karen Women Empowerment Group, Burma/Myanmar
High-Level segment of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly : United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, 26 September 2014 from 1:15-2:30 PM
“An integrated Approach to the Gender Dimension of Sustainable Development within the context of Post-conflict Recovery”
Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies & gentlemen,
I am Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, an ethnic woman of Myanmar and I am very much happy and proud to be here in 69th session of the UN general assembly to be a voice of the ethnic women who suffering from civil war in Myanmar.
Our country is situated in southeast Asia and famous for its richness of natural resources, beauty of diversity, smiles and hospitality of the people. In contrary, we have been suffering from the consequences of 60 years civil war which are human rights violations, sexual violence, landmines, drug issues, land grabbing , etc.. More than 300,000 people are being refuged in neighboring countries, thousands of women and children are traumatized and suffering from mal nutrition.
Myanmar’s ongoing peace and reconciliation process remain a huge challenge in terms of visible participation by women stakeholders and addressing vital women’s issues. While references are being made to serious violations committed against women (and children) in conflict situations, national dialogues and ceasefire agreements however have yet to explicitly address measures to secure their protection and participation in the process.
Moreover, numerous developments in Myanmar in recent years inform this shared commitment, ranging from the growth of “nation building” work in the country, we called for equal participation and contribution of women and men in reconciliation and rehabilitation process, to work for bringing the different needs of women and men, and addressing gender issues in every steps of peace process and rehabilitation.
In 2003, with the women leaders and activists, Karen Women Empowerment Group was formed with the aiming of empower the women especially, the women survivals of conflicts, counselling and rehabilitation. We supported with small business loans, weaving and reproductive health service to the women. Women Learning Centres program was initiated in 2011 and extended to 7 centres nowadays. The services we provided are;-
- Counselling to the conflict survival
- Vocational program for the women
- Life skills
- Political empowerment for the women : when talking about political participation we have only 4% of women representatives in the parliament when 51% of country population is women.
We can see the improvement of women in their lives by active participation, transform as women activists, and change agents. Moreover, they become resource and empower others in their society. I would like to tell you a story of a women from Karen state. I visited the a Karen village last two years for a project assessment. A women came as a participant but not a single word in the meeting. Later on her neighbor told me that she had three children, she run from her village when military burned the houses. She brought children and some food along with her and fleeing in the jungle. How many days , how many months do you think? Its take 9 years in the hiding place. Her husband was killed during the military operation, and her two children were sicked and died in the jungle. Later on, she and her son were taking care of the village elders. She joined the waving training and got income. She participated in the counseling sessions and she tries to be in the normal life. Now she is one of the center’s resource person in waving training and she becomes role model of the survivals of the conflict.
The survivals and women who impact by civil war participated in International day of peace event in Yangon last week and called for the immediate action to government and stakeholders.
Call on International Day of Peace by Women Peace Forum
Yangon, Myanmar
( 21, September, 2014)
1. To recognize the meaningful participation of women in every steps of decision making in peace process and nation building.
2. To implement UNSCR 1325 throughout the country with the participation of survivals of war and genuine women organizations.
3. To amend 2008 constitution which is obstacle for implementation of women protection law and CEDAW
4. To be accountable and responsible for current investment and land confiscation issues which are directly impact the lives of women and local communities.
I would like to urge our world leaders to consider carefully on our call in trying to help our women in Myanmar. And please do meaningful consultation with survivals before you plan your assistance or development projects and investment. The war in Myanmar is not over yet, please listen to the refugees to avoid forced repatriation. Please do not stop your assistance to the refugees camps as they want to go back when only genuine peace in their villages.
For effective support to war torn communities, please partner with local CSOs who have been suffering and journeying with the people along the conflict. Please empower them to become the leading agencies for rehabilitation task. As women are excellent in management, please support them to become entrepreneurs so that the whole community will be benefit.
Finally, please encourage our government for genuine political will to bring peace in the country and stop the offensive wars in ethnic regions. Moreover, they must allow women in participation on peace negotiation table and reassure inclusive rehabilitation process.
Thank you very much.
High-Level segment of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly : United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, 26 September 2014 from 1:15-2:30 PM
“An integrated Approach to the Gender Dimension of Sustainable Development within the context of Post-conflict Recovery”
Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies & gentlemen,
I am Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, an ethnic woman of Myanmar and I am very much happy and proud to be here in 69th session of the UN general assembly to be a voice of the ethnic women who suffering from civil war in Myanmar.
Our country is situated in southeast Asia and famous for its richness of natural resources, beauty of diversity, smiles and hospitality of the people. In contrary, we have been suffering from the consequences of 60 years civil war which are human rights violations, sexual violence, landmines, drug issues, land grabbing , etc.. More than 300,000 people are being refuged in neighboring countries, thousands of women and children are traumatized and suffering from mal nutrition.
Myanmar’s ongoing peace and reconciliation process remain a huge challenge in terms of visible participation by women stakeholders and addressing vital women’s issues. While references are being made to serious violations committed against women (and children) in conflict situations, national dialogues and ceasefire agreements however have yet to explicitly address measures to secure their protection and participation in the process.
Moreover, numerous developments in Myanmar in recent years inform this shared commitment, ranging from the growth of “nation building” work in the country, we called for equal participation and contribution of women and men in reconciliation and rehabilitation process, to work for bringing the different needs of women and men, and addressing gender issues in every steps of peace process and rehabilitation.
In 2003, with the women leaders and activists, Karen Women Empowerment Group was formed with the aiming of empower the women especially, the women survivals of conflicts, counselling and rehabilitation. We supported with small business loans, weaving and reproductive health service to the women. Women Learning Centres program was initiated in 2011 and extended to 7 centres nowadays. The services we provided are;-
- Counselling to the conflict survival
- Vocational program for the women
- Life skills
- Political empowerment for the women : when talking about political participation we have only 4% of women representatives in the parliament when 51% of country population is women.
We can see the improvement of women in their lives by active participation, transform as women activists, and change agents. Moreover, they become resource and empower others in their society. I would like to tell you a story of a women from Karen state. I visited the a Karen village last two years for a project assessment. A women came as a participant but not a single word in the meeting. Later on her neighbor told me that she had three children, she run from her village when military burned the houses. She brought children and some food along with her and fleeing in the jungle. How many days , how many months do you think? Its take 9 years in the hiding place. Her husband was killed during the military operation, and her two children were sicked and died in the jungle. Later on, she and her son were taking care of the village elders. She joined the waving training and got income. She participated in the counseling sessions and she tries to be in the normal life. Now she is one of the center’s resource person in waving training and she becomes role model of the survivals of the conflict.
The survivals and women who impact by civil war participated in International day of peace event in Yangon last week and called for the immediate action to government and stakeholders.
Call on International Day of Peace by Women Peace Forum
Yangon, Myanmar
( 21, September, 2014)
1. To recognize the meaningful participation of women in every steps of decision making in peace process and nation building.
2. To implement UNSCR 1325 throughout the country with the participation of survivals of war and genuine women organizations.
3. To amend 2008 constitution which is obstacle for implementation of women protection law and CEDAW
4. To be accountable and responsible for current investment and land confiscation issues which are directly impact the lives of women and local communities.
I would like to urge our world leaders to consider carefully on our call in trying to help our women in Myanmar. And please do meaningful consultation with survivals before you plan your assistance or development projects and investment. The war in Myanmar is not over yet, please listen to the refugees to avoid forced repatriation. Please do not stop your assistance to the refugees camps as they want to go back when only genuine peace in their villages.
For effective support to war torn communities, please partner with local CSOs who have been suffering and journeying with the people along the conflict. Please empower them to become the leading agencies for rehabilitation task. As women are excellent in management, please support them to become entrepreneurs so that the whole community will be benefit.
Finally, please encourage our government for genuine political will to bring peace in the country and stop the offensive wars in ethnic regions. Moreover, they must allow women in participation on peace negotiation table and reassure inclusive rehabilitation process.
Thank you very much.
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