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Burma Women's Voices For Change

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On the fourth day of our journey we took a rest beside a stream. Suddenly a huge stone fell down towards us from the top of the mountain. One leader said it wasn’t a good sign and to be careful. Then, we heard an explosion. At first we thought it might be SPDC soldiers attacking us but sadly a man who was carrying medicine for our group had stepped on a land mine. My best friend and other soldiers picked him up. One of his legs was severely injured and bleeding a lot. He was murmuring and crying. My best friend was very brave, she helped to clean and dress the wound but I was shocked and felt numb after seeing his legs blown off. I didn’t know what to do and I was very scared. That night I couldn’t sleep. All my thoughts at first were about my parents and if I was going to have a chance to meet them again. I worried that the SPDC heard the explosion and would follow us. How much of our journey would we have to worry about land mines? Were there a lot of land mines? When we set out to document the stories and thoughts of mostly first-time women writers, we had not realized how many women, struggling with oppression, conflict and displacement, were determined to speak out. In doing so, some have written in their own direct style, in a way that has moved beyond Burmese literary tradition. Having been a Burma activist of over two decades, I continue to be amazed at the fundamental courage and generosity of women from Burma to share their stories. Their heart-breaking and moving stories have made me even more determined to support human rights, democracy and peace in Burma. All of us, readers and members of the Thanakha team, are privileged that these women have been willing to share so many painful, suspenseful and inspiring experiences with compassion, humility and wit. They have taken time to reveal how they personally grapple with the daily consequences of the regime’s crimes against humanity, war crimes and gross economic mismanagement. Women of all ages and backgrounds continually strive against the violence, insecurity and deprivation that continue to permeate every aspect of their lives.

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Availability

KP.II-00119

KP.II TEA b

My Library

Available

Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

KP.II THA b

Publisher

Burma : Altsean-Burma., 2002

Collation

120 Hal.; 21cm.

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

974-90386-2

Classification

KP,II

Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

June 2002

Subject(s)

Burma
Women
Women's Voices for change

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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