Burma: Arakanese activist receives Yayori award-Saw Yan Naing

August 21, 2007 – (Burmanet.org) An ethnic Arakanese human rights activist in Bangladesh has been named the third Yayori Award recipient by Japan-based women’s rights groups. Saw Mra Raza Linn, the chairperson of the Rakhaing (Arakan) Womens Union and a member of the Women’s League of Burma was awarded the prize for her consistent contributions to and energetic support of peace and democracy in Burma, and her efforts to oppose human rights violations and violence towards women and children.

“I’m satisfied with the award and it encourages me to continue my work in the future, such as further empowering women and researching Arakanese literature,” Raza Linn told The Irrawaddy. “I also hope that I can help achieve democracy in Arakan state.”

The Yayori Award is given to women activists, journalists, and artists (individuals or groups) who work at the grassroots level with socially marginalized peoples to create a 21st century free from war and discrimination against women throughout Asia. The award is given by the Women’s Fund for Peace and Human Rights and the Asia-Japan Women’s Resource Center, both in Tokyo.

Award recipients also receive 500,000 yen (US $4,367.19). A ceremony will be held in Tokyo to deliver the prize, according to Raza Linn, who added that she will use the prize money to buy new Arakanese literature and curriculum books, to continue empowerment programs and to address the issues of health and education for women and children.

Previous recipients include Nepalese photojournalist Usha Titikshu and Korean activist Ko You Kyong. Raza Linn has conducted nonviolent protests against local government officials in Arakan State and has traveled extensively in the region to promote the inclusion of diverse religious groups in Burma’s democracy movement. She has also made efforts to address ongoing violence against women particularly rape and has effected the release from prison of numerous local political detainees.

In 1988, Raza Linn led thousands of people in pro-democracy marches during that year’s nationwide democracy uprising. She later fled Arakan State for Bangladesh and spent several years hiding in the border jungles before resuming her political activism on behalf of Arakanese women and children.

From:http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/08/21/irrawaddy-arakanese-activist-receives-yayori-award-saw-yan-naing/