Female Karen leaders are calling on the newly appointed Karen State Chief Minister Nan Khin Htwe Myint to introduce new measures to encourage more participation by women in politics and the peace process. As a State Hluttaw MP from Hpa-an Township Constituency – 1, Nan Khin Htwe Myint will be joining a handful of female MPs in an otherwise male dominated parliament. Only thirteen percent of the MPs in parliament are women.
Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) Secretary Naw K’nyaw Paw told the KIC that women need more legal protection for their rights and hopes that Nan Khin Htwe Myint will enact them. She said the KWO plans to meet with her in the future.
“I want her to encourage women to participate more in peace building and (civil) societies.”
Female youth leader Naw Eh Paw Wah from the Karen Affairs Committee wants the new chief minister to work towards changing negative views towards women in Burmese culture and religion. Often regarded as incapable, powerless or unsuitable, women just need the right opportunities to show their true capabilities, she said.
Nan Khin Htwe Myint and other cabinet members in the Karen State government took their seats in parliament on April 1.
The new chief minister told the KIC of plans in the works that will see to significant changes for residents in Karen State in the next 100 days.
Ba Maung Chain was the first ever Karen woman appointed to Karen State Minister in 1952 during the administration of the multi-party democratic government led by President U Nu.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI Staff
