Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Amyu Shayi Hpung Kachin Independence Women Association (KIWA)

Statement on the Day of Kachin Women

Date:19th August, 2011 Today, on 19th August, we are celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Kachin Womens Day. The Kachin Independence Womens Association (KIWA) was established on August 19, 1978. Over the past (33) years from its establishment, the Kachin Women Association has been working for the advancement of women and children. During the time of civil war between the Burmese military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Kachin women and children have suffered various forms of abuses and violations such as arbitrary arrest, torture, gang rape and killing by the Burmese army as means of revenge against the KIA. Despite the ceasefire period between the Burmese army and the KIA, Kachin women were inhumanely raped and killed by Burmese soldiers. However, bitter experiences and feelings were kept silent for concerns to undermine the peace keeping process between the two parties. The 17 years- lasting ceasefire between the Burmese army and the KIA has been broken when the Burmese military launched attacks on the Kachin Independence Army on June 9, 2011. Since then, the lives of women and children have witnessed a dreadful situation. Especially in the conflict areas, women and children were raped and killed. In the families, men were abducted as porters, and those ones suspected to be KIA spies were killed by the Burmese army. Fearing such abuses, men are fleeing from their homes, and household duties including farming are loaded on women.

E-mail: shayimajoi@gmail.com, phone: +86 692 899 269 1 Laiza Muklum, Kachin State

Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Amyu Shayi Hpung Kachin Independence Women Association (KIWA)

Since the fighting started, about 30000 IDPs have fled along the China border as well as in different areas of Kachin State. The Chinese government is not ready to accept some refugees who try to seek shelters in their territory. Some refugees are pressured to return home, and are now taking refuge in the KIO control areas. In some cases, the refugees are allowed to stay in China. However, they do not receive any kind of assistance, this makes for them difficult to survive so that they come back to the KIO territory. Local NGOs from Myanmar has been banned from providing assistance to the IDPs by the Government and only the Kachin communities of churches, individuals who have been trying to help those affected people. The majority of the IDPs population is comprised of women and children: blocking assistance is inhumane and it represents a violation of the rights of women and children. We, the Kachin people including women, are longing for peace in the country. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis understanding of the situation of IDPs and refugees is appreciated. We, the Kachin Independence Womens Association welcome peace negotiation dialogue proposal by Aung San Suu Kyi. 1) We urge the Burmese government to implement nationwide ceasefire, and to work for the enjoyment of equal rights of all the ethnic people. 2) Not to block aid for the people who is affected by the conflict. As these people are ordinary civilians fleeing from civil war, the national government is the most responsible to protect its people. 3) We demand to stop violence on women and children including rape, torture and killing, and to stop using Kachin civilians as porters and forced laborers. 4) We also demand the Chinese government, as Burma neighboring country, to allow the access of international humanitarian workers and assistance to reach the refugees and IDPs.
E-mail: shayimajoi@gmail.com, phone: +86 692 899 269 1 Laiza Muklum, Kachin State

Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Amyu Shayi Hpung Kachin Independence Women Association (KIWA)

5) We urge the ASEAN to pressure the Burmese government to implement and promote political progress in the country. 6) We call the international community to pressure the Burmese regime to end human rights violations against Kachin people especially rapes and killings of women and children, and to implement a genuine transition towards a peaceful and democratic country.

Contact person: (1) Hkawn Ra (2) May Li Awng (+86 - 6926 2880 91) ( + 86 15368662565)

Email: shayimajoi@gmail.com, Phone +86 692 8992691, Lai Za, Kachin State.

E-mail: shayimajoi@gmail.com, phone: +86 692 899 269 1 Laiza Muklum, Kachin State