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Mon Women’s Day celebrated on Thai-Burmese border

HURFOM: The morning of March 23 marked the 8th commemoration of Mon Women’s Day, an event that raises awareness about women’s rights and mobilizes social activism and collaboration among the Mon women’s community. The celebration is held in a different location each year, but always shares its date with the birthday of famed Mon Queen, Shin Saw Puu.

“Queen Shin Saw Puu was the only queen to reign over Mon Hanthawaddy Pegu in lower Burma. During her rule, no fighting occurred between Mon and other ethnic groups because of her influence and skill,” said Nai Shew Thein, a former executive committee member of the New Mon State Party (NMSP). “For this reason we decided Mon Women’s Day should fall on her birthday.”

According to a local source, members of the Border Health Initiative, Woman and Child Rights Project, Mon Women’s Organization, Mon Youth Progressive Organization, and the Mon National Education Committee facilitated the 2013 event in the village of Japanese Well near the Thai-Burmese border.

“As a Mon woman, I am very happy to join this Mon Women’s Day,” said Daw Yone, 46, from Three Pagodas Pass Township. “I have attended the annual Mon Women’s Day four times now. I hope Mon Women’s Day [continues being] held every year.”

A letter sent by NMSP Chairman Nai Htew Mon and read to the attendees in his absence urged Mon women to follow, honor, and take inspiration from Queen Shin Saw Puu and other women engaged with governing Mon kingdoms through authority and intellect.

One local man explained that he has attended the event two years in a row but was disappointed by the turnout.

“I am not entirely pleased because [some] Mon women are not interested in their own day. Only [those present] joined this Mon Women’s Day. [This event] concerns everyone, so they should attend. I suggest that the facilitators invite and urge more people to participate in Mon Women’s Day next year. Nevertheless, it’s good that they are able to celebrate. I am looking forward to seeing the event commemorated every year.”

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