Women's League of Burma

Description

The Women’s League of Burma is a coalition of ethnic women’s organizations working for women’s rights and democracy in Burma.

It was established on December 9, 1999, on the Thai-Burma border by exiled Burmese women activists. Its headquarters are in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with offices across the region. It unites more than a dozen ethnic women’s groups, including the Karen Women’s Organization, the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand and the Shan Women’s Action Network.

The league advocates for women’s participation in peace processes, constitutional reform and national reconciliation. It documents sexual violence and other abuses committed by the military in ethnic minority areas and campaigns for justice and accountability for survivors. It publishes reports on impunity and gender-based violence and submits shadow reports to United Nations bodies such as CSW and CEDAW. It also runs leadership training, political education and advocacy workshops for women along the Thai-Myanmar border and in ethnic communities.

Since the 2021 military coup, the league has condemned the junta’s repression and called for the release of detained women activists. It continues to operate largely in exile, coordinating humanitarian aid, documenting gender-based violence and pushing for international accountability mechanisms. It also takes part in constitution-drafting work within Burma’s pro-democracy movement.