Daw Kyin Than was elected as the chairman of Shin-saw-pu Association and Mi Kon Chit Chit and Mi Than Shin were elected as the vice-chairman and secretary of the association, respectively. Mi Kon Htaw was elected as joint-secretary and Mi Thu Zar, Mi Seik Kamar, and Mi Moe Moe became committee members. Additionally, the association chose three people per township as members.

Shin-saw-pu has four primary programs – economy, health, education and welfare – and was created for Mon women to collectively work on social issues.

Mi Moe Moe, a committee member, said, “Fifteen townships are involved [with the association]. Each township has three committee members. We already ran out of a thousand membership applications. Maw Ka Nin Village alone has 92 members.”

Since the applications have not been collected, it is hard to say the exact number of memberships.

It was reported that more than 500 Mon women from various townships of Rangoon and Pegu Divisions and Mon and Karen States were present at the meeting.

“For an economic project, [the association] is currently selling Shin-saw-pu brand fertilizers. Later, the association plans to market rice and clothes, especially Mon dresses. Educational assistance will be provided. As a health project, free health care by three doctors per month will be available. Negotiation with the doctors is already complete. Thirty thousand (kyat) per funeral and ten thousand (kyat) per occasional well-being ceremony will be supported. Moreover, association members will offer personal assistance,” continued Mi Moe Moe.

According to Chairman Daw Kyin Than, the association’s priority is to encourage Mon women who lack confidence because their husbands and children have to work abroad to support the family—these projects aim to assist women generate income to prevent their family members from leaving the country.

The Shin-saw-pu Association will apply for registration with the government this month.