An interview with the information officer, Company-4 of KNDF B05
October 31, 2022
The Network Media Group (NMG) interviews Soe Myar, information officer of Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) B05-Company-4 about the role of women in the Spring Revolution, their challenges, difficulties, advantages thanks to the inclusive role of women in the Spring Revolution, the reason why the armed struggle was chosen and unexpected experiences as a female comrade.
Q: May I know the inclusive role of women in the Spring Revolution and challenges?
A: The role of women in the Spring Revolution is said to be good since the anti-coup protest. The women are helping solve different difficulties. Women can keep abreast of men. As a woman, I have never thought that I would revolutionize this dictator by taking up arms. The participation in the revolution by accident is said to be a challenge for my life. Before the Spring Revolution, I was a matriculation student.
Q: What is the difference between the urban and rural protests and armed struggle?
A: The difference between the urban and rural protests and armed struggle is that as in the urban areas, the people can do the peaceful protest alone. In February and early March, we could make peaceful protests. Later, the urban protests faced difficulties. I think the people should make protests in urban areas so as to get the democracy we want and to revolutionize the dictator. Now, it is uneasy for the people to make peaceful protests due to the military council’s atrocities. The protestors even have to risk their lives. I really respect the protestors who make protests by risking their lives. Those engaged in the armed struggle have to fight by sacrificing their lives. I myself have to risk my life by taking up arms and making self-sacrifice. Peaceful protestors, resistance fighters and those involved in the Spring Revolution have their own difficulties.
Q: As you mentioned earlier, why did you decide to join the armed struggle while participating in the protest?
A: The main point is I feel sorry as the people from our community were injured. I don’t want to see it again. Such fighting is inconvenient for the public and our comrades. The people suffer casualties. I am very sorry when I see such casualties. The reason why I chose armed struggle is the military dictator commits violence. We need to fight against the junta as the junta is committing more and more violence. So, I have chosen an armed struggle to get the federal democratic union I want. Now, I can die at any time. I may lose my legs and hands. However, I am doing the work without thinking about them.
Q: What unexpected difficulty did you face when you started joining the battalion?
A: The unexpected difficulty is that there are a lot of men in the army. I felt worried that I would face insecurity and discrimination among men. It is inconvenient to talk with men over women affairs. It was a difficulty. I have come to know that there is no discrimination when I am familiar with it. There are no big difficulties as men share their experiences.
Q: How about your daily foods? How many days do you eat meat in a week?
A: The daily difficulty is that our comrades have to be patient with food. Patience is success. Our comrades have to eat meat once per week. We have to eat meat twice per month when our logistics cannot supply it. We have to be patient with something regularly. We face transportation and accommodation difficulties. For health, we have to stay near medical officers. We have sufficient medicines. However, there are some necessities.
Q: Does your battalion provide you with sanitary pads? Do you have enough pads?
A: We need a lot of sanitary pads. Sometimes, we get donations for women’s pads. The donors provide women with sufficient numbers of pads. However, we ourselves have to buy sanitary pads when they run out. However, our battalion has provided women with pads. Donors provide more pads.
Q: Do you face discrimination when you undergo military training together with men and you go to the frontline?
A: There is no restriction. However, we have to go to the frontline under the command of the column commander. Not only men but also women don’t go to the frontline when the column commander gives an order. There is no discrimination.
Q: Can you tell me about your unforgettable memo you experienced during the military training and in the army?
A: I am not a healthy person. I have gastric problems and anemia. I was dizzy as I was very tired during the training. Then, I had to take a drip. I want to shoot a gun. However I can’t stand. I can’t shoot a gun. I feel very sorry when I think about my health. I did not shoot the gun as I had to stay in the room with a drip. This is a memo.
Q: How can the women battalion do the work male comrades cannot do?
A: Women start learning tailoring. They raise funds for their battalion by creating their own designs. We are trying our best to reduce our spending and increase our income. Women are working in tailoring. Either men or women have their individual skills. There is a saying, “An island relies on reeds just as reeds rely on the island”.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: I would like to request donors to make more donations. The value of Myanmar currency is depreciating. The commodity prices are skyrocketing due to the greenback surge. We have to buy rations for frontline comrades. I would like to request local and foreign donors to make donations.
Sent by NMG