Field of Interest:           Overseas aid & development
Grant Recipient:           International Women’s Development agency (IWDA)
Project:                        Leadership Training for Young Burmese Refugee Women
MCF Sub-fund:             Social Justice Fund

IWDA works in the Asia-Pacific region in direct partnership with local organisations of women who live and work in the communities. For this project, IWDA supports local partner, the Karen Women’s Organisation, to run the Karen Young Women’s Leadership School .

The school provides education opportunities to 22 refugee women a year from the Karen ethnic minority in Burma from the 9 refugee camps along the Thai/Burma border. 

Since 1988, close to a million Burmese have fled their country to neighbouring countries and border camps, where they live in extreme poverty and oppression with no understanding or protection of their rights.

The Karen Young Women’s Leadership School is creating opportunities for women to improve their lives and communities.  Over 13 months’ residential education, students gain skills in leadership, advocacy and community development, leading to positions in community governance and human rights.

65 young women have graduated from the KYWL School since its inception seven years ago. They have taken up leadership positions in Karen refugee camps, Karen Women’s Organisation, and are raising awareness of the plight of the Karen internationally.

For further information about IWDA and their work go to www.iwda.org.au