Celebrating all women not just one

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

It is amusing, but not surprising that some men object to Women of Burma
Day. Contrary to elevating Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to "goddess" status, Women
of Burma Day actually uses her international profile to highlight the
situation of women from Burma and their struggle against the military regime.

For instance in Bangkok this evening, 200 men and women attended a
reception and discussion to mark Women of Burma Day. The main focus of the
discussion was NOT on Aung San Suu Kyi (who nevertheless is an inspiration
to us all), but rather the Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, most of
whom are women and children, in the construction and sex industries. There
was also discussion of the ways that the gas pipeline causes hardship to
ethnic women and children.

So, Women of Burma Day functions to broaden the focus away from Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi as an individual towards the rest of the women from Burma, be
they in the country or in exile. It encourages us all to honour the women
for their role in the struggle and to be concerned with how the military
dictatorship continues to abuse women directly and indirectly. Instead of
celebrating one woman's birthday, we now have the opportunity to celebrate
all the women of Burma.e 

Just read the previous postings for WOB Day as homework and you'll see what
I mean.

In the meantime, it is extremely encouraging to see the defensiveness of
the junta over Women of Burma Day. Mean-spirited, but not surprising.
Condemnation from the miltary regime must be the highest form of praise for
Burma activists!

What would be surprising but VERY welcome, is the military's realisation
that tripartite dialogue is the way to resolve the crisis in Burma. They
really should accept this instead of deliberately misunderstanding efforts
to support peace in Burma.

The military shouldn't be so afraid of dialogue - it will benefit all
women, men and children of Burma, themselves included.

In solidarity with the women of Burma,

Debbie Stothard
-----------------------------------
A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
Tel/Fax: 66 2 693 4515 * <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>