Experiences

Key Finding 6: Women take actions for peace, but remain peripheral in formal
negotiations and peace building
As made clear by their life stories, the impact of the conflict on women and their families is severe.
Participants frequently mentioned their desire for peace, both for themselves and for future
generations. Yet most women victims in ethnic rural areas, particularly the women most affected by
the conflict and living in situations of displacement, do not have any substantial knowledge about
the peace process. Apart from knowing that discussions are occurring between fighting factions,
they have little understanding or knowledge of the discussions taking place in their name at the
political level.
None of the 29 women in the study have been involved in any formal peace processes. The women
who participated in the research expressed doubt, distrust, and skepticism towards the peace process.
Grassroots women’s organizations and civil society organizations representing women’s interests are
excluded from any meaningful participation or input in the peace process discussions. To date, there
are almost no women at the discussion table. 7
Some women, however, have taken informal action for peace at a grassroots level in their own
communities. This includes community-level trauma recovery, and human rights and peace promotion
work. These efforts forge a way for the suffering of women survivors to be recognized and for their
communities to accept them.
22
Even if there are peace talks,
the Burmese military troops
are still near us. I want the
troops to withdraw because
we are afraid of them.
Htay Htay
Karen
7
“Where Are The Women: Negotiations for Peace in Burma,” Swedish Burma Committee, May 2013; “Looking at the Current Peace
Process in Myanmar through a Gender Lens,” Salai Isaac Khen and Muk Yin Haung Nyoi, August 2014