Mizzima News
Htoo Shin
12 November 2002

The India-based Women Right and Welfare Association of Burma (WRWAB) organized a Political Training session for women at the Hall of the Burmese Community Resource Center (BCRC).

Between 11 and 13 November, newly arrived Chin, Kachin and Kuki women are instructed on the basics of politics. Participants express their appreciation of the exercise: "I used to consider the word 'politics' as hostile and fear-provoking. Through participating in this training, I acquired an understanding of what politics means“, finds one participant.  “This training helped me understand the social, economic and political spheres. This knowledge makes me more concerned for the plights of our peoples under the military regime”, said a Kachin woman, Ma San Khun.

Secretary-General of the WRWAB Ma Thin Thin Aung explains: " We organized this political training with the aim of instructing these women, newly arrived from Burma, on the basics of politics at their request and also because women absolutely need to know at least the basics of politics. The women are mainly taught about the current political situation in Burma. The training also aims to get more women involved in the process of national reconciliation and in bringing peace to Burma". “The training session's participants are so keen on discussion. Since this is not a public meeting as such, all Kuki, Burman, Chin and Kachin women participants speak very frankly”, she added.

While the first day focused mainly on the basic rights of women and the activities of the United Nation with regard to women's issues, the second day gave an overview of democracy and federalism, the system of government administration and the respective constitutional levels. The third day of the training session will concentrate on the possibilities for women's involvement in finding a solution to the political crises facing the Union of Burma and in bringing about democratic change in Burma.
 

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