No.13 - 03/2006
11 March 2006

Human Rights

Bully boys slammed on Women's Day

Reporter: Tawngtai

More than two hundred women from different groups gathered this evening (8, March) to observe the International Women's Day in Chiang Mai where the community theater played out about women bullied by men.

"A girl born in a typical community would be forbidden by the community not to do this and that. As a result, when she grows up, she is unable to do most things and the boys will bully and look down on her" explained a middleage woman, who is one of the organizers, pointing her finger at the ongoing show.

She added, the play has never been shown on stage, TV or festival before but they would like to go around the communities and perform where people are crowded. Most of the items are about human rights or women rights. More than two hundred participants from Thai NGOs, Burmese NGOs, migrants and some western people come to watch today's show.

Another item named 'Honey Bee' featured three facilitators talking about Migrants Rights, Rights to lifestyle and Housemaid rights. The crowd clapped their hands at the end of each item.

"In any kind of job and position, women take a back seat to the men. And men think women are just playthings", said Myat Theing a Burmese girl who is working with the Mae Sot based- Yaung Chi Oo.

As she is working for migrant communities, she said migrant rights should also be respected.

A 20 year old male participant said, "It is good to have this kind of activity, because it would make women more powerful and help the community to become strong".