An interview with Ma Yu Hlaing Thin, a political activist, single mother, and director of Justice Movement for Community-Innlay
Ma Yu Hlaing Thin, a native of Inle, – is a political activist and director of the Justice Movement For Community-Innlay. She is also a single mother. In this interview with the Shan Herald, Ma Yu Hlaing Thin spoke about the oppression of women and the challenges faced by women who have fled to liberated areas, although gender equality has often been voiced over the course of revolution.
The Justice Movement for Community – Innlay is an organization based in the Inle region that focuses on monitoring, research, and justice. It is also an organization that provides political education and human rights awareness for youth and has also organized campaigns.
Q- After the military coup, resistance activities emerged. As a result, arrests of youth increased. Politically, people became more active. As a native of Inle, how do you see this?
A – People would say that the Intha eat fermented soybean chips (Pepoke) and sleep heavily; they don’t care about the affairs of others other than working to provide for their families. As a direct result of the military coup, the situation of the people of Inle is deteriorating in the areas of health, education, and economy. This has led the people of Inle to rise up and resist the military dictatorship.
Q – How did you start participating in this revolution?
A – Inle was a peaceful region during the five years of the previous government. People also felt and understood the essence of democracy. The junta staged the coup while people were struggling to make a living. People got angry about it; they started thinking about how to resist (the regime) in any way they could. I also entered the struggle in this way.
Before this revolution started, I was fighting for the rights of children and women. Even under the previous government, which believed it was taking a democratic path, such human rights activities were difficult. We still managed to do something. But the military council ruined everything; they devastated us. That made me wonder again if this coup meant the end of everything and if we could do something about it.
Then I, young people from my connections and young people from our partner organizations came together and planned to organize a protest. Some people who had witnessed the political aftermath of the ’88 uprising tried to stop us. They were afraid of a repeat of the atrocities they had witnessed then. But we had many young people with us. Not only were there floating strikes in Inle, but in other towns like Taunngyi and Nyaungshwe, they also took to the streets to protest. When I learned that I was on their watch list when I participated in these activities, I became worried and fled. Although I had to flee, I continued to do as much as I could for the revolution wherever I’m, and I still do.
Q – As a woman, did you get support from your family members to make it this far?
A – Honestly, I’m a virgin with two children. Actually, I’m a single mother. I don’t have a husband anymore. Even before the (divorce), I didn’t get any support from my husband. Instead, I got a lot of help and support from friends and colleagues. I made it this far without the support of my ex-husband.
Q – What difficulties did you face as a single mother and what motivated you during the period of resistance when you became an activist?
A – It’s hard to fully describe those difficulties. I was mostly worried about making a living for three of our family members, including myself. There were times when I had no money at all for medicines or medical expenses. In addition, as a woman, I also faced gender discrimination and sexual harassment. In light of these experiences, I wanted to stop participating in all resistance activities. But after talking to friends and colleagues in the country, I no longer thought that way. I regained my motivation when I realized that although we fled for fear of arrest or death, they stayed in the country and continued to work under risks. So I stayed on that path.
Q – In the past, women’s participation in political movements wasn’t very visible. But after the coup, we have seen women standing shoulder to shoulder with men and achieving things. What do you think about that?
A – I’m really happy that after the coup, more and more women participated in the political arena and in the revolution. Unlike in the past when women were expected to stay in the kitchen, after the coup they have taken a bigger role in the resistance. Apart from women taking up arms and fighting in the jungle, I’ve seen women actively participating at all levels, including internationally.
Q – Next, Shan State currently has the most internally displaced people, although there hasn’t been much fighting there compared to other states (and regions). What do you think about the internally displaced people? What kind of help do they need?
A – Right, our Shan State borders Karenni State, so there are many IDPs. Among the IDPs, there are many women, children and elderly people. There are also people with disabilities among them. Some IDPs don’t even have a home to return to. I feel sorry for them because they desperately need food and shelter. I’m sure they want to return home as much as I do.
Q – In Shan State, many different ethnic groups live together. What is your thoughts on the issue of Shan State?
A – To be honest, the issue of Shan State is a shame to the revolution. This is because the different ethnic groups in Shan State are fighting each other. Some organizations like to work with the military council and kill people. Before the coup, people repeatedly called on them to stop fighting, but they didn’t stop. Now, too, they have ignored the people’s call for united resistance. The armed ethnic groups in Shan State should unite to resist the military council.
Q – As an ethnic person living together in Shan State, what do you wish for the future of Shan State?
A – What we want most is a federal democratic system. We’re also helping with this as much as we can. I want all the armed organizations in Shan State to unite and eliminate the military dictatorship. To achieve a federal democracy, everyone must unite and work together.
Q – Please add anything else you’d like to say.
A – I’d like to say that the current military council in Myanmar has become international war criminals. The international community is aware of all their brutal acts, but international action has been ineffective. We’ve been drawing attention to this through various means, but the international response remains weak. Not only Myanmar citizens must do their part, but the international community must also live up to its responsibilities.
Sent by Shan Herald.