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• Daw Aung San Suu Kyi • Dr.Sein Win • others Printable Version

MESSAGE FROM DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY & NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE ON THE OCCASION OF HER BIRTHDAY & WOMEN OF BURMA DAY

June 19, 2002

In Burma, as in many other parts of the world, women are the underprivileged gender. In areas of conflict and crisis, it is our women and children who suffer most.

On the other hand, our women are rarely allowed to achieve decision-making positions even though they are able and well qualified. This means they are neither assured of their right to security nor their right to shape their own destiny.

This has to change. The women of Burma must shape not only their own destiny, but also the destiny of the nation. For Burma to progress and take its rightful place in today's world, the women must be empowered. They must play a vigorous and leading role in paving the way to social, political and economic changes in this country.

I am confident that our women have the necessary skills as well as the will. What they need is the opportunity to exercise their skills to brighten the future of our nation. Women have had to develop endurance and courage that they might overcome the handicaps imposed on them by outmoded prejudices.

I would like to call upon the Women of Burma to use this courage and endurance to ensure that we move forward as speedily as possible that we might become a peaceful, prosperous nation, secure in its democratic institutions.

Thank you.