The 2008 Democracy Luncheon Honors Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Women’s League of Burma

On Dec. 15 , the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs hosted the 2008 Democracy Luncheon, honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and presenting its fourth annual Madeleine K. Albright Award to the Women’s League of Burma. As part of the Win with Women Global Initiative, the Madeleine K. Albright Grant honors organizations that work to increase women’s participation in political and civic life. The recipient was selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on the strength of their proposal to train young women leaders.

The Women’s League of Burma (WLB) is an umbrella organization of twelve Burmese women’s organizations representing different ethnic backgrounds. Established in 1999, the WLB emphasizes the critical contributions of women in the national reconciliation and peace-building processes. The WLB’s mission is to work for women’s empowerment and the advancement of the status of women, the increased participation of women in all spheres of society, and the increased participation of women in the democracy movement and peace and national reconciliation processes. By encouraging cooperation between its different member groups, the WLB aims to build trust, solidarity and mutual understanding among Burmese women of all ethnicities .

The WLB engages in capacity building, advocacy, research and documentation. The League continually reports on the status of Burmese women in key areas such as education, gender -based violence, health, poverty, and human trafficking. It has been a leader in documenting the military junta’s use of gender-based violence as a tool for repression and has advocated internationally with the United Nations and other organizations to improve the human rights situation. By promoting cooperation among its member organizations, the WLB also helps ensure women’s voices are represented in the larger movement for democracy in Burma.

The WLB’s Political Empowerment Program (PEP) trains and cultivates young women political leaders. The Albright Award will support the young women currently enrolled in the PEP in returning to their ethnic communities within Burma and along border areas to conduct two-week training sessions for emerging women leaders addressing key concerns such as gender based violence, human trafficking, political engagement and local leadership.

Pictured above: Thin-Thin Aung of the Women's League of Burma, receiving the Madeleine K. Albright Grant from NDI chairman Madeleine K. Albright.