WLB marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Over a hundred attendants participated at the debate and quiz program held at the Children Development Center (CDC) school in the Thai border town of Mae Sot. The event was organized by the Women League of Burma to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Among those attending, were high school students, migrant workers and members of community based organizations.

Lway Nway Hnaoug, an organizer and member of WLB said that the purpose of the ceremony was to mark this special day and at the same time, to raise public awareness, especially among students, on the problems on violence against women in Burma and urge them to help fight for the end to this problem. The debate program was aimed to build capacity for the young students.

“The main points are that we want people to know what is happening in Burma regarding this problem, we hope to build skill of our young students in debating and we want to urge people to do what they can to stop violence against women.”

The ceremony held on 26 November started with speeches by Mon Sophia, a WLB executive member and U Nay Myo Aung, deputy headmaster of the CDC school. Ma Nu Nu Hlaing, WLB Mae Sot office coordinator briefed the audience a background history of violence against women before the debate started – ‘Violence against women is obstacle for women to be future leaders’.

The event attended by members of the National League for Democracy (Liberation Area), the Student and Youth Congress of Burma, migrant workers and high school students from migrant schools of CDC and the Border High School for Orphans and Helpless Youth-BHSOHY.

A student debater from BHSOHY School who had to speak against the topic said she agreed with the topic.
“I am very happy to be able to take part in the debate. I’ve prepared a lot. Everyone wants to win the competition. However, I want to say, I also believe that in order to have good future leaders, there should be no violence against women.”

A woman attendee said she wanted to see more people at this event in the future.

“This kind of ceremony should be attended by every level of community, not only our organization and students – the more people from different community groups, the better we can raise awareness of the issue.”

This is the second time since 2010 that WLB has held this ceremony at the Mae Sot CDC School.