As a former political prisoner, Thin Thin Aye knows something about fear: that you should never let it stand in your way. That’s why the veteran activist, better known as Mee Mee, has made it her mission to persuade other Burmese women to set aside their fears and take a more active role in politics.
Since her release from prison in January of this year, Mee Mee has done much to live up to her own advice. As a prominent female member of the 88 Generation Students group, she is living proof that there is plenty of room for women in Burmese politics, if they choose to get involved.
“The political landscape is changing, and women are participating in politics more now than they did two decades ago,” says Mee Mee, speaking to The Irrawaddy during a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she was taking part in a series of workshops with exiled women’s groups.
The 40-year-old veteran activist is actively engaged in efforts to empower women through the Women’s Center, led by fellow 88-Generation leader Nilar Thein. The 88 Generation group has made women’s empowerment one of its major issues, along with human rights, peace in ethnic areas and workers’ and farmers’ rights.
Read more at The Irawaddy, published 10 November 2012.
As a former political prisoner, Thin Thin Aye knows something about fear: that you should never let it stand in your way. That’s why the veteran activist, better known as Mee Mee, has made it her mission to persuade other Burmese women to set aside their fears and take a more active role in politics.
Since her release from prison in January of this year, Mee Mee has done much to live up to her own advice. As a prominent female member of the 88 Generation Students group, she is living proof that there is plenty of room for women in Burmese politics, if they choose to get involved.
“The political landscape is changing, and women are participating in politics more now than they did two decades ago,” says Mee Mee, speaking to The Irrawaddy during a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she was taking part in a series of workshops with exiled women’s groups.
The 40-year-old veteran activist is actively engaged in efforts to empower women through the Women’s Center, led by fellow 88-Generation leader Nilar Thein. The 88 Generation group has made women’s empowerment one of its major issues, along with human rights, peace in ethnic areas and workers’ and farmers’ rights.
Read more at The Irawaddy, published 10 November 2012.
