Message from SWAN

This short publication contains reflections on SWAN’s experiences over the past ten years. Our aim was to take stock of our 10-year journey — both achievements and challenges – as well as to provide an insight into the complexities of developing a feminist movement within our cultural and political context. Much is painful to remember: the mass forced relocations by Burma’s military regime in 1996-1998 that uprooted hundreds of thousands of villagers in central Shan State, forcing them to flee to Thailand; the massacres and systematic rape used to subjugate and terrorize our communities; the exploitation of Shan refugee labour in Thailand. Amidst this horror and turmoil, SWAN was born. After ten years, the situation in Shan State and the rest of Burma remains grim, but we feel a sense of achievement in having created a space for women’s activism, and catalyzing a movement for gender equality in and beyond our communities. We have sought to uphold our feminist principles and commitment to equality, human rights and social justice throughout our work. Despite the many challenges, our experiences have reinforced our belief in these principles. We wish to thank our friends and supporters who have stood with us over the past ten years. Your support has increased our determination to challenge injustice and work for genuine political change and peace in Burma.