The History of BWU

On January 7, 1995, a group of young female students left Burma for the Thai-Burma border after the military’s brutal crack-down on the popular uprising.  These women formed the Burmese Women's Union (BWU) to work for the rights of women, to increase women's participation in the Burmese political arena and to provide much-needed support for women in the refugee camps along the borders of Burma.

BWU is an independent association aiming to organize the women of Burma, both along the Thailand, India and China borders and internationally.  Membership with BWU is open to all women of Burma regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, marital status, sexual preference, or livelihood. Part of BWU's mission is to respond to the social welfare needs of its members and provide short‑term educational and vocational training programs for women.  BWU sends its representatives to regional and international forums and conferences to highlight the situation of women in Burma as well as to gain international advocacy skills and establish a network of international and regional women's organizations.
BWU's first congress was held in January of 1998. The congress laid out BWU's priorities: to work with other ethnic women's organizations on the borders and to collectively form an umbrella women's organization.

BWU made every effort to implement this task. It took various approaches including organizing trainings and workshops in which women from various ethnic groups or ethnic-based women organizations were invited to participate. By doing so, BWU could create venues for women of various ethnic backgrounds to share their experience and concerns as well as the chance to build confidence and trust. In December 1998, BWU approached and sought support from the well-respected Dr. Cynthia Maung, Ms. Pippa Curwen, and Naw Louisa Benson to take the lead in holding the first Forum of the Women of Burma. At this forum, the participants from various women groups made the resolution to hold another conference in one-year time.

In September of 1999, BWU organized a pre-meeting before the Second Forum. Representatives from various women organizations emphasized the formation of an umbrella.

In December of 1999, the Second Forum was held. Twelve women's organizations from Burma formed the Women's League of Burma (WLB), in which BWU proudly serves as a founding member and closely works with the League.  Eleven years later, this still stands as a major achievement.

An increased number of women have raised, developed and upgraded their understanding and skills of various issues and fields including: human rights and gender equality issues, advocacy and women’s rights advocacy.

An increased number of women have become actively involved in political affairs and in the struggle for democracy and human rights. They have become integrated into various political organizations and processes including federal and state constitutional drafting processes and alliance youth groups.
There has been a growing awareness and consciousness on the issues of gender equality in the democratic movement in exile, as well as among the externally displaced population from Burma in neighboring countries.

An increased number of BWU members have been able to engage in the mainstream politics of the democratic movement at various levels. Many have also taken up leadership positions in predominantly male political organizations, such as Network for Democracy and Development, Forum for Democracy in Burma and National Council of the Union of Burma’s Federal Constitution Drafting Committee.

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