The chairwoman of the MWC organizing Committee, Mi Cherry Soe, said that topics discussed at the conference included health, education, society, protection, women’s rights, children’s rights and cultural heritage.

She said: “Due to the oppression and discrimination faced by women now is the time for women to speak out. I hope this will encourage change.”

The conference aimed to raise the voice of women and see them become more involved in and more responsible for decision-making in government, justice, lawmaking, business, society and media.

Daw May Sabae Phyu, the coordinator of Gender Equality Network said: ” Because our country has just started the movement for women rights, we have to work a lot to get equality and it will take a long time.”

Until the government acknowledges the women’s right’s movement women will not achieve equality and will faces obstacles.

“There is still discrimination in many places. It happens at the level of the home, the family, the village, the township, the nation and at the global level. But we have to move forward and gradually that discrimination and inequality will disappear,” said Dr. Min Nwe Soe, Mon State Minister for Planning and Economics.

Daw May Sabae Phyu said that women should be brave and be encouraged to take up their rights, roles, and responsibilities.

She added that women need to think wisely and implement as much as they can to help them achieve equality, safety and rights for women.

About 150 people attended the conference.

They included Mon women’s group leaders from Rangoon Division, Tenasserism Division, Mon State and Karen State, representatives from the New Mon State Party, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party, the Mon Democracy Party and the Shin Saw Pu Association.  Representatives of youth groups such as the Mon Youth Progressive Organization, the Mon Youth Educator Organization and the Mon Social and Development Network also attended.