Objectives

• To develop the status of Palaung women
• To maintain the literacy and culture of Palaung people
• To participate in the democracy, peace and human rights movement for Burma
• To advance and promote gender equality and women’s rights by co-operating with other women’s organizations
  
  

Organizational Profile/ Who We Are

The Palaung Women’s Organization (PWO) was established in 2000 in response to the dearth of women actively participating within other Palaung organizations. It was perceived that the female members of such groups lacked the opportunities, skills and self-confidence necessary for direct and active participation. Cultural factors determined that men had greater access to training, better English language and computer skills, greater self-confidence and more leadership opportunities. PWO was formed with the intention of educating and empowering women so that they could develop and strengthen their own self-determination and achieve equality of participation.

PWO provides gender and human rights training to Palaung women and their communities; increases international and community knowledge of the Palaung people, their history and cultures; and raises awareness of the human rights abuses suffered by the Palaung people.

Programs/Projects

1. Women’s Political Development Program

• Establishment of Training project: PWO has established training structures within Burma and delivers regular training to Palaung people in Burma and China.
• Young Women’s Capacity Building Training: PWO developed this program in 2006. Internship Project: PWO conducts an internship program for its members every 6 month since 2005.

2. Eliminating Violence Against Women Program

• Provide training on gender based violence and women trafficking.

3. Health Program

• PWO is a member of the Adolescent Reproductive Health Network (ARHN). PWO provides Adolescent and Reproductive Health training to the young people inside Palaung area in Burma.
• PWO and PYNG collaborates in providing a mobile health clinic for the underserved Palaung community.

4.Income Generation Project

5.Research and Documentation Departments

Human Rights Documentation Project

• In mid-2006, PWO published the ?Poisoned Flowers? report. The impacts of spiraling drug addiction on p alaung women.
• PWO-Publications: Since 2001, PWO has produced an annual/bi-annual ?Shwe Pe Oo? Journal publication aimed at allowing Palaung women to communicate their experiences and share knowledge and information.

Advocacy/Outreach

2.Internal advocacy