Bandana Solidarity for Women of Burma

By Free Burma Coalition - Philippines • March 8, 2010

Women delegation of FBC-Philippines march for the rights of women in Burma as they join the World March of Women

Women members of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Phils) joined 3,000 others in celebration of the International Day of Women in Manila, Philippines today with the World March of Women. The marchers wore white bandanas (head scarves) bearing the calls for the release of women political prisoners in Burma, and calling for an end to SPDC’s systematic attacks against the women of Burma.

The marchers also carried photographs of known women political prisoners of Burma like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Aye Thida, Nilar Thein, Thin Thin Aye, Noble Aye, Hanni Oo, Daw Khaing Mar Soe, among others, as they chanted slogans calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all women political prisoners in Burma.

Speaking to media correspondents during the rally, Yuen Abana said that the Bandana solidarity aims to link the issues of women of the world with that of the women of Burma – stressing the common struggles and the need for solidarity among women and men to realize the global covenants protecting the rights of women against discrimination and violence; and, promoting human rights, justice and peace for all women and men. “Militarism in Asia-Pacific is intensifying at an alarming rate. In Burma, the SPDC military junta has gotten away with its systematic sexual assault on the women of Burma; and the United Nations until now has not been successful in putting on trial the military regime of Burma for its crimes against humanity,” Abana added.

The marchers were also addressed by Ms. Lani Baluarte of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM- Workers’ Party) representing the FBC-Philippines Women’s Commiittee. “We call on the SPDC to release all political prisoners, stop all hostilities and attacks against ethnic communities and start an all-inclusive review of the 2008 Burma constitution before holding the elections in Burma this year,” Ms. Baluarte addressed the crowd, reading from the statement prepared by the FBC-Phils Women’s Committee for the event.

Energies were high as the women, old and young, marched under the scorching heat of the sun. The men and boys marched with them, provided safety human cordons around, helped control vehicular traffic and provided drinking water for all.

The crowd peacefully dispersed at exactly 12:00 noon.

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For inquiries, kindly refer to:

Yuen Abana, Convenor of the Women’s Committee, FBC-Philippines c/o Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) +632 4352900; +632 9110205
Egoy N. Bans, Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) Secretariat +63920 9132472
Gani Abunda, Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) Secretariat +63929 4109647

Photo: FBC-Phils delegation composed of members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM – Workers’ Party) and Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)