Emerging Leaders Program

Country: Thai–Burma border

Partners: Karen Women’s Organisation and Women’s League of Burma

Funding source: IWDA supporters and The Robert Christie Foundation

Issue: Women’s voice and contribution is significantly lacking from positions of leadership and decision-making, despite their active involvement in the struggle for peace and democracy in Burma.

Outline: Two residential schools support young women participants of various ethnic groups from Burma to strengthen critical thinking skills and leadership abilities through a participatory curriculum including topics on democracy and human rights, development, policy making and advocacy. This project aims to increase women’s representation in civil and political leadership and decision-making in the pro-democracy movement in Burma, supporting them to become active citizens, future leaders and agents of change.

Impact: 29 young women graduated from the Emerging Leaders Program this year with demonstrated confidence in speaking out on issues of concern to them and increased knowledge and skills to actively work alongside men and engage in decision-making processes and structures. Most graduates from last year’s program are continuing to inspire, educate and mobilise women in their communities, working with local organisations and facilitating peer education workshops.

“Now I get a lot of knowledge, of women’s rights and human rights and politics, at first when I go back [to my village] I will share my knowledge with my family, and change my family, and then I will share and work with my community.” 20 year old student of the WLB EL school (March 2010)

Tags: Karen Womens Organisation, Leadership and Participation, Thai Burma Border, Women's League of Burma
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