Since founded, SWAN has been advocating and networking for women’s human rights and gender equality as well as sustainable peace, development and ethical practices at community level, national level, and regional/ international level.
At Community level
Traditionally and culturally, women are treated as second-class citizens across ethnic communities in Burma. Religious teachings, cultural practices, literature, and media have reinforced a long established patriarchal system. Sixty years of militarized culture has created a society in Burma that reinforces patriarchy. Furthermore, ongoing political and armed conflict has embedded violence.
Special events
- 8 March: International Women’s Day
- 21 September: International Day of Peace
- 25 November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Consultation meetings
Networking meetings
At national level
SWAN works through the Women’s League of Burma as a founding and standing member with a strong commitment to share resources, knowledge, professional and technical skills for advocacy. Also we do have a shared platform of networking and advocacy for the advancement of women.
Alongside other women’s networks, SWAN as a member of the WLB is engaged with advocacy and campaigns on women’s empowerment including women’s access to leadership and calling for reforms in legislation to secure women’s human rights and autonomy over our bodies, and movement building.
- Women’s Forum for Peace
- Women’s Exchange
- Commemoration of Founding Day
At regional and international levels
In addition to our activism at the community and national levels, SWAN has been able to raise the human rights situation of Shan women at regional and international levels through the support of many regional and international organizations in particular: APWLD; ARROW; AWID; CREA; IWRAW-AP This has enabled us to work across different sectors of gender advocacy and feminist movement.
