November 28 (NMG): Though international community had already celebrated “Violence against Women Day” on 25th November, ethnic Karen women in Mae La refugee camp were not allowed to hold on that day by Thai authority. Instead of November 25, Karen women in Mae La Karen refugee camp celebrates today after getting permission, said Nan Moe Hnin Thwae, secretary of Pa-an district Karen Women Organization (KWO).

On November 25, refugee camp leaders sent a request to hold “Violence against Women Day” in the camp but their request was turn down by Thai authorities. Again, camp authorities tried to contact and appeal Parasu Nai, a Thai authority who is responsible for the activities in refugee camp after they failed to get permission.

“We went to see Parasu Nai but he was not available. Though we went to see him, we could not meet him. The camp authorities could not hold it because they were yet to get permission from Thai authorities. Finally, we were informed to postpone from 25 to 28 November because November 25 is the religious day of Muslims, Id. That’s why we can only hold on November 28,” Nan Moe Hnin Thwae explained.

She added that KWO got permission to hold this day with the help of UNHCR office in Mae Sot.

Parasu Nai also addressed the celebration by apologizing his lateness due to tight schedules.

Nan Moe Hnin Thwae said it was the first time in Mae La to hold “Violence against Women Day” and the leaders who attended the celebration delivered relevant topics relating to this day were very satisfactory though there were some difficulties to organize this day.

Network Media Group