For Peace!

Myanmar women learn to ‘build peace’

Published Date: July 21, 2010

By ucanews.com reporter, Yangon

MEWA members perform traditional dances during a peace workshop at the Catholic Religious Conference of Myanmar headquarters in Yangon

Nuns and laywomen from across Myanmar have attended a gathering in Yangon to discuss ways of building peace in the family, their local communities and within the church.

The participants, 24 laywomen and 26 nuns, met at the third Myanmar Ecclesia of Women in Asia (MEWA) workshop at the Catholic Religious Conference of Myanmar headquarters in Yangon July 16-19.

During the three-day program coordinated by four members of the Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT), the potential peacemakers were divided into groups to discuss conflict and violence, peace, justice and conflict resolution.

They drew up action plans for future use in their respective dioceses such as Bible sharing.

“I’m really happy to have had this opportunity to share our experiences with these women, said one Baptist MIT member, Daw Than Than Aye.

“I believe we built good relationships and will work together to bring peace,” she told ucanews.com.

Participants were full of praise for the workshop and were confident good results would result from it.

Mya Yi Aung Lan from Pyay diocese said she has learnt how to face and solve problems, and is sure she can apply this knowledge in her family, with neighbors and within her church.

MEWA was established in May 2005 in Yangon with the aim of helping poor and abandoned women get back on their feet. It also aims to help women attain greater freedom and regain their dignity both in the Church and in their communities.