Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON1075
2006-07-31 09:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA'S WOMEN'S AFFAIRS FEDERATION TOUTS ITSELF
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001075
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAID KWMN BM
SUBJECT: BURMA'S WOMEN'S AFFAIRS FEDERATION TOUTS ITSELF
REF: RANGOON 1012
Classified By: Poloff Dean Tidwell for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001075
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAID KWMN BM
SUBJECT: BURMA'S WOMEN'S AFFAIRS FEDERATION TOUTS ITSELF
REF: RANGOON 1012
Classified By: Poloff Dean Tidwell for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Although the Myanmar Women's Affairs
Federation (MWAF),an organization closely linked to the GOB,
claims to prevent human trafficking and assist victims, its
primary focus seems more geared to propaganda. Its small
operating budget limits its effectiveness. The organization
has unsuccessfully sought partnerships with UN organizations
and INGOs to bolster its legitimacy. MWAF's representatives
often attend ceremonies and photo ops welcoming trafficking
victims home but then disappear, leaving INGOs to carry out
the difficult tasks of repatriation and rehabilitation. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) In order to gain more information on the GOB-linked
MWAF, PolOff and visiting DRL officer met with
representatives of the organization on July 21. MWAF, which
claims to be an independent NGO, has as its key patrons the
wives of the regime leaders, Than Shwe and Maung Aye.
Underscoring its ties with the GOB, the MWAF told us that a
meeting would have to be requested by dip note through the
Foreign Ministry.
3. (U) MWAF claims to have 2.6 million members nationwide and
offices in all townships. It claims to prevent human
trafficking by training women in literacy projects, extending
low-interest micro-credit loans to women in need, and by
assisting with repatriation and reintegration of trafficked
victims. However, its 2006 budget for micro-credit loans was
only USD 6,150, which went to 160 women in the entire country
(less than USD 40 each). They also claimed their legal staff
played a significant role in drafting Burma's current TIP law.
4. (C) Representatives of Save the Children told us that MWAF
frequently attends ceremonies to welcome trafficked victims
back home, poses for photos with the returnees, and then
disappears to let INGOs finish the difficult work of
repatriation and rehabilitation (reftel). Most INGOs and UN
agencies try to keep their distance from MWAF because foreign
donors will not fund projects affiliated with MWAF. UNICEF's
child protection officer told us they collaborate with the
Myanmar Nurses Association but not with the MWAF, due to its
close affiliation with the regime.
5. (U) The July 23 edition of the regime's daily newspaper
"The New Light of Myanmar" tried to capitalize on the Embassy
meeting by running an article and photo extolling the
supposed anti-trafficking activities of the MWAF. The
article also took issue with U.S. sanctions, which the MWAF
claims make Burmese women more vulnerable to trafficking.
6. (C) COMMENT: MWAF is a propaganda arm of the regime. It
has demonstrated no genuine interest in helping trafficking
victims. Rather, it tries to legitimize its role by taking
advantage of those INGOs and UN agencies providing real
assistance. END COMMENT.
VILLAROSA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAID KWMN BM
SUBJECT: BURMA'S WOMEN'S AFFAIRS FEDERATION TOUTS ITSELF
REF: RANGOON 1012
Classified By: Poloff Dean Tidwell for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Although the Myanmar Women's Affairs
Federation (MWAF),an organization closely linked to the GOB,
claims to prevent human trafficking and assist victims, its
primary focus seems more geared to propaganda. Its small
operating budget limits its effectiveness. The organization
has unsuccessfully sought partnerships with UN organizations
and INGOs to bolster its legitimacy. MWAF's representatives
often attend ceremonies and photo ops welcoming trafficking
victims home but then disappear, leaving INGOs to carry out
the difficult tasks of repatriation and rehabilitation. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) In order to gain more information on the GOB-linked
MWAF, PolOff and visiting DRL officer met with
representatives of the organization on July 21. MWAF, which
claims to be an independent NGO, has as its key patrons the
wives of the regime leaders, Than Shwe and Maung Aye.
Underscoring its ties with the GOB, the MWAF told us that a
meeting would have to be requested by dip note through the
Foreign Ministry.
3. (U) MWAF claims to have 2.6 million members nationwide and
offices in all townships. It claims to prevent human
trafficking by training women in literacy projects, extending
low-interest micro-credit loans to women in need, and by
assisting with repatriation and reintegration of trafficked
victims. However, its 2006 budget for micro-credit loans was
only USD 6,150, which went to 160 women in the entire country
(less than USD 40 each). They also claimed their legal staff
played a significant role in drafting Burma's current TIP law.
4. (C) Representatives of Save the Children told us that MWAF
frequently attends ceremonies to welcome trafficked victims
back home, poses for photos with the returnees, and then
disappears to let INGOs finish the difficult work of
repatriation and rehabilitation (reftel). Most INGOs and UN
agencies try to keep their distance from MWAF because foreign
donors will not fund projects affiliated with MWAF. UNICEF's
child protection officer told us they collaborate with the
Myanmar Nurses Association but not with the MWAF, due to its
close affiliation with the regime.
5. (U) The July 23 edition of the regime's daily newspaper
"The New Light of Myanmar" tried to capitalize on the Embassy
meeting by running an article and photo extolling the
supposed anti-trafficking activities of the MWAF. The
article also took issue with U.S. sanctions, which the MWAF
claims make Burmese women more vulnerable to trafficking.
6. (C) COMMENT: MWAF is a propaganda arm of the regime. It
has demonstrated no genuine interest in helping trafficking
victims. Rather, it tries to legitimize its role by taking
advantage of those INGOs and UN agencies providing real
assistance. END COMMENT.
VILLAROSA