Uncertain Future!

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From Karen Women’s Organization and Karen News

The IDPs return home with dignity and safety? “We do not dare to go back because of the landmines that are planted in the fields where we make our living. If we go back, we could lose our limbs at any moment.” Currently, the Burma Army’s operations in Mutraw District violates the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and has recently displaced more than 2,000 villagers from their homes. These displaced villagers, feel unsafe, have received threats, concerns and repression to return to their abandoned villages. They feel there is no guarantee for their safety and security and many political problems are unresolved. The displaced Karen people in Ei Tu Hta IDP camp are now facing a massive humanitarian crisis.

Please watch this video produced by KWO and Karen News about the current crisis

Uncertain Future!

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KWO Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Urgent Demand of the United Nations Security Council to Refer Burma to the International Criminal Court

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Please click here to download the statement, English Version:

KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN English Version, 2018

Please click here to download the statement, Karen Version:

KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN Karen Version, 2018

SAW O MOO: Defender of Indigenous Karen Territories, the Environment and Way of Life

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KWO sends our heartfelt condolences to the remaining members of Saw O Moo’s family in this very sad time after he was killed by Burma Army soldiers last month.
In his honor, we want to share his life story and achievements with our friends and colleagues all over the world. That we may learn from him and his desire to see real peace in our land.
We feel enormous gratitude to him for his work as a defender of Human Rights and Indigenous Rights, and as a protector of the environment and the Karen way of life.
Saw O Moo, you are not with us anymore but your work will be in our hearts forever. You will be always remembered as a Karen indigenous rights defender and we offer hope that your soul may rest in peace. We make a promise to you to carry on your work in defense of our lands, our identity, and our freedom.
Karen Women’s Organisation

The Nightmare Returns: Karen Hopes for Peace and Stability Dashed by Burma Army’s Actions

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On March 4th, the Burma Army began the largest and most coordinated deployment of troops into Karen State’s Mutraw (Hpapun) district since 2008, breaching the terms of the NCA and provoking multiple clashes with the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) 5th Brigade. Burma Army soldiers have indiscriminately targeted civilians while more than 2,400 villagers have been forced to flee their land and homes. The majority of those displaced by the Burma Army’s current operations had only recently returned to rebuild their villages, farms, and livelihoods following decades attacks by the Burma Army and displacement in the area.

The KNU and Burma Army are both signatories to the 2015 NCA, which prohibits the expansion of military infrastructure and troop reinforcements in ceasefire areas. However, since March 4th, at least eight Burma Army battalions have entered Luthaw, without the required prior agreement  from the KNLA, and begun constructing a military operations road to connect their military bases. If the road is built, Indigenous Karen villagers may be permanently displaced from their homes and ancestral village territories.

KPSN Media Release The Nightmare Returns

The Nightmare Returns – English version

KWO Celebrates 33rd Anniversary

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kwo logo

On the occasion of KWO’s 33rd anniversary, April 5, 2018, we celebrate our successes while also looking at our challenges ahead and how to overcome them. KWO will have it’s largest celebration of the anniversary in the Taw Oo District of Karen State led by the KWO Central leadership. The celebration includes a sport competition, a concert showing Karen culture, songs, and dancing. KWO will also present information on KWO’s work, the peace process and gender equality. KWO will particularly honor KWO leaders and staff who have worked full time for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 25 years respectively. KWO is the strong vibrant organization we have become because of their commitment and hard work.

Naw Paw GayIt is our honor to recognize Nan Paw Gay as well for her leadership and contribution to our community and to Burma. She is a member of the KWO Standing Committee and has worked in community media. Due to her talent and hard work she rose to Chief Editor of the Karen Information Center in 2008. She was also Burma News International (BNI) Executive Director.

hser hser

Additionally, we honor a KWO young leader, Naw Hser Hser, a KWO Standing Committee member and Joint General Secretary of the Women’s League of Burma. Naw Hser Hser won the P’doh Mahn Sha Young Leadership Award this year which she will receive on KWO day. KWO congratulates Naw Hser Hser on her award. Naw Hser Hser is a role model for younger women in our community through her hard work for KWO, the Karen community, and the entire ethnic community in Burma.

Both these women show the strength, vision, and hard work of Karen women and inspire all of us through their work.

In addition to all these women we also want to recognize the 80 Traditional Birth Attendants who work with KWO for their incredible contribution to the health and well being of women and children in our community.

KWO will honor 151 women and 2 men today for their positive contribution the Karen community. The list of those being recognized follows:

  • Women’s Champion in Social Work: Nan Paw Gay, Chief Editor of Karen Information Center and Executive Director of Burma News International

  • Women with over 25 years of service: P’doh Myaing Poe, P’doh Paw Day Toe, Tharmu Shwe Paw, Thramu Baw Nyaw, P’doh Naw Dah Dah,  and Naw Khin Yin

  • Women with over 10 years of service: 31 women

  • Women with over 15 years of service: 30 women

  • Women with over 5 years of service: 5 women

  • Traditional Birth Attendants: 80 people (78 women and 2 men)

Third Karen Women’s Seminar held in Karen State

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KWO is excited to announce the formation of a new a new “Karen Grassroots Women’s Network” which will strengthen the voice of Karen women in advocacy efforts.   KWO gathered women from a wide variety of Karen civil society organisations for the third Karen Women’s Seminar at the end of March 2018.

The women discussed issues for two days and decided to form the new Grassroots Women’s Network.  At the conclusion of the seminar the attendees jointly endorsed the following resolutions:

  1. We call on the Burma Army to stop their military operations in all ethnic areas.
  2. We want the 2008 constitution to be abolished and call on the Burma  Government to begin a process whereby a genuine federal constitution can be drawn up.
  3. We also call on all stakeholders to stop mega development projects in all ethnic areas until there is genuine peace and a political settlement.
  4. There must be no forced repatriation of refugees.
  5. We also call on the international community and donors to continue to support
    humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs according to international standards until peace is restored in the country

3rd Karen Women Seminar, 2018 Karen Version (1)3rd Karen Women Seminar Statement in BurmeseThird Karen Women Seminar 2018 Statement Eng Version (1)

KWO Receives Women of Change Award

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KWO was awarded a Women of Change award by the United States Embassy in Rangoon.  The Women of Change Award is a U.S.Embassy initiative “to recognize Myanmar women who have made significant and lasting contributions to their communities…”

 

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DVB coverage Burmese

Karen news coverage – English

Irrawaddy Coverage – English

Frontier – Myanmar Coverage – English

KWO Statement on International Women’s Day

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KWO Statement in Karen Version:

KWO Statement in English Version:

 

KWO Campaign, Stop Domestic Violence Against Women and Children, 16 Days of Activism

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On the 23rd of November, KWO members and leaders were excited to launch our 16 day International Days for the Elimination of Violence against Women Campaign.  The KWO campaign focus this year, is  “Stop Domestic Violence Against Women and Children”.  We will have activities in 7 Karen Refugees Camps and 7 districts in Karen State for members of our community to participate in.  Below are photos from the launch.