Naw K’nyaw Paw

Born and raised on the Thai-Burma border, Naw K’nyaw Paw became a refugee at the age of 11 after being displaced by conflict in Karen State. After experiencing forced flee, K’nyaw Paw began working with the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO)- a community-based organization of women working in development and relief for refugee camps at the Thai border. As a human rights activist and serving on KWO’s executive committee, she has implemented tremendous change in teaching people leadership, human rights, and providing schooling opportunities for young women refugees. Each year, the KWO helps hundreds of women receive training to be able to help advocate for their interests and represent themselves in their respective communities.

Together with the Women’s League of Bruma, she has traveled to Geneva and New York to attend the UN Human Rights Council, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). She represents Karen people on a global level, helping raise awareness of women violence refugees face on the Burmese border.

Her hope for women in Burma in the future is for them to be able to fight for their rights in union, and standing up for what they believe in. They need to fill in shoes for leadership opportunities in the community and system of governance. Her persistence and visionary female power makes her an inspiring figure for both Burma and the world.

Artist: Gilang & Mutiara, from Indonesia