Women of Burma Speak Out: Workshops to Deconstruct Gender-Based Violence and Build Systems of Peace and Justice

Abstract

Refugee and internally displaced women of Burma examined structural and institutional violence against women within their communities within workshop formats. Group members also discussed strategies for transforming systems supporting gender-based violence into structures of peace and gender justice. The authors describe their methodology, based on principles from liberation theory and feminist psychology, in collaborating with the women of Burma to articulate culturally relevant information and recommendations. Common themes generated by workshop participants are presented, including forms of violence against women, the structures and institutions that support and reinforce gender-based violence, and strategies for social change. Examples of follow-up projects emerging from this work are provided.

Keywords:

• Burma
• international consultation
• feminism
• liberation theory
• social change

Kathryn L. Norsworthy is an associate professor in the Department of Graduate Studies in Counseling at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, U.S.A and Director of Ahimsa International: Projects for Peace, Justice and Mindful Living, Orlando, Florida. Ouyporn Khuankaew is the Director of International Women in Partnership for Peace and Justice, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The authors wish to express deepest respect for and solidarity with the women of Burma who participated in the workshops discussed in this article. We also gratefully acknowledge funding for these projects provided by Jack B. Critchfield grants through Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida. We sincerely appreciate the important comments and input from Mo Hom (pseudonym used for security reasons), Deena Flamm, and Lisa Tillmann-Healy. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Kathryn L. Norsworthy, Rollins College, Graduate Studies in Counseling, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [email protected]