Organizational History

The Mon Women’s Organization (MWO) was established in 1984 as a women’s unit, working with young women on the Thai-Burma border. Then MWO’s main aim was to provide for the needs of women in refugee camps. Four years later, during the 8888 Uprising in August 1988, what were initially Yangon’s residents, took to the city-streets in an outcry against Myanmar’s military regime and its downward spiraling economic situation. The government’s attempt to bring the Uprising to and end was violent, and political tumult as a direct result of this led to large groups to flee to the Thai-Burma border.

            With no organizations catering to the needs of, and promoting didactic paths for women, MWO     began to increase its programs catering to women. In 1994, MWO started development activities with   trainings in dressmaking, women’s empowerment, and Mon literacy. In 1995, MWO opened its main office in Nyisar. Nyisar is near Ye Myo, in the southern part of Mon State, a three-hour drive from the border during the dry season. In December 2000, MWO opened two branch offices; one in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, and a second in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, as a communication center within Burma. MWO’s original funding donors were Swiss Aid, the Burma Relief Center, the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), and the Global Fund for Women.

In MWO’s response to the needs of the community we serve in planning activities and creating new programs. Women, who lead and are involved in all decision-making processes including the selection of the Central Committee members, run for our organization. MWO runs programs in over 30 Mon villages, and also coordinates projects with local women’s groups.

The Mon Women’s Organization’s Central Committee members are elected during biannual meetings, including MWO members. Future Central Committee members are selected at annual meetings, where current Central Committee members also elect the Central Executive Committee. The Central Committee includes representatives from four districts and is made up of 15 representatives, while the Central Executive Committee is a seven-person body. A Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Joint Secretary, and three members form the Central Executive Committee. Every MWO activity is led by a Central Executive Committee or Central Committee member. MWO also has a Monitoring and Evaluation Team for all project activities. We have trainer teams for gender, leadership, management, micro credit, sustainable agriculture, and peace workshops, as well as for handicraft skills. MWO have 10 full time staff in three offices.