Karen Information Center / BNI Online | February 16, 2018

The Karen Women Organization (KWO) of Mu-Traw (Hpapun) District held its seventh congress on February from 8 to 10, and elected new executive members, who will lead for the next three years.

The nine-member executive committee and 25-member standing committee were elected by secret ballot. The executive committee is led by Naw Phaw Lay Thaw as chair, Naw Dah Lay Say as vice-chair, Naw Hae Bwe as secretary, and Naw Mu Aye as joint secretary, according to the new chair Naw Phaw Lay Thaw.

“The KWO’s challenge is that we don’t get paid so most people don’t want to work for it. Most women are interested in medicine and they are not interested in women’s issues. Also, they come on behalf of their husbands as family representatives most of the times so they work in other departments,” said Naw Phaw Lay Thaw.

She continued that the newly elected women leaders will initially carry out tasks on leadership-building, office work, campaigning, and awareness-raising. They will also hold a forum to consult on women’s issues and social issues.

Over 200 representatives from Lu Thaw, Dwe Lo, and Bu Tho townships attended Mu-Traw District KWO Congress and reviewed the tasks carried out within the last three years, elected new leaders, and set down future plans.

Mu-Traw District KWO has held the congress for seven times since 1985. The previous chairs were Phoo Leh Mu, who was a male leader due to lack of female leaders, Naw Esther Lah Wah, Naw Phaw Hto Ki, Naw Kyu Hla, and Naw Pal Wah.

The district-level KWO congress was held every two years in the past but the central-level KWO decided last February to hold it every three years.

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This article originally appeared on BNI Online on February 16, 2018.

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