4. Women’s Human Rights and Empowerment training in Regions 1,2,5 in Thailand and Region 4 in India

Women in the camps have very little access to information, education, they have limited spaces to share their common concerns, and a large number of them are not well educated. Due to the living standard of the refugee camps and hard restriction not to go out of the camps, in consequences, cases of domestic violence and different forms of violence against women have been increasing due to the stresses and depression.  However, these cases are never taken proper actions and no effective mechanisms and services are offered to protect these women, except some such as safe houses, literacy classes, libraries, and trainings women organizations like Burmese Women’s Union, Karen Women’s Organization, and Karenni National Women’s Organization are providing to empower these women.

In many situations, these women leaders and activists in the camps find themselves with no power to influence the camp leaders as the women’s role and participation in decision-making is not seriously taken by male dominated power structures such as camp committees. In order for these women leaders and activists to offer protection and sufficient services to other women in the camps, they need to empower themselves, take active part in the community affairs and gain trust from community, and then is to try to get into the decision making structure of the camp. In this regards, self-reliant and empowerment programs as well as access to funding, information, and educational resource materials for improvement of their social status and communication and social skills are essential.

We hope to provide gender sensitive mindset to the women for long-term purposes. We want the women to understand their fundamental rights as human being and a woman. We want them to know that they are important for the changing of the society. They have to understand first that, how they are treated by the society and are they treated or give chances equally as the other human form, which is the man. They should be able to shoulder the responsible of advocating about gender equality and work for the people who do not have chances. They should be future and current frontline fighter for their follow women and for the bright light of the country.

A. Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training in Mae La Oo refugee camp, near Mae Searaing

BWU organized a Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training in Mae Lar Oo refugee camp, BWU region (1) near Mae Suri, Thailand. The training started from December 20-24, 2006 and facilitated by Ko Thaung Tin Oo (NDD trainer) and Mar Mar Aye (BWU trainer). 21 women of BWU members, NDD members, ABSDF members and women living in the camp were actively participated in the training.

B. Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training in BWU region (2) near Mae Hong Son

Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training was organized at BWU region (2) Karenni refugee camp 1 near Mae Hong Son, Thailand. The training started from April 23-27 and 24 women of BWU members, Karenni Women Organization, and women from camp committee and other social groups attended the training. The facilitators were Paeal Mae and Nae Nae (BWU field trainers).

C. Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training in Churachanphu, India

Human Rights and Women Empowerment training was organized in Churachanphur, border town of India-Burma border and the training started from August 30 to September 3 2006. 18 women of BWU new members, Kuki Women Human Rights Organizations, Women Rights Welfare and Association of Burma, Zomi Women Organization, and Naga Women Organization attended the training and the trainers were Nu Ni and Thi Dar Khaing (BWU field trainers). .

D. Human Rights and Women Empowerment Training in Mae La refugee camp, near Mae Sot

Human Rights and Women Empowerment training was organized at Mae La refugee camp, near Mae Sot Thailand and started from December 26-30 2006. 15 women of BWU members and 4 who are not BWU members attended the training. Ma Tin Tin Nwe and Kay Khaing Win were the main trainer for the training.