Interviews with Charm Tong

For our movement, we’re very inspired by all the movements that have been fighting the injustice and now they are free. And we know that the struggle and injustice still continues, you know, as we speak at many levels, at many places. But we know and we see that many places and countries have changed the situation.

And they have freedom. And they still have to struggle for, you know, like many things as just the beginning of another struggle. So, I think it is very inspiring to see. You know, I think first of all to learn, you know, that we are not the only ones who suffer, you know, by the Burmese military regime. And Burma is not the only country that continues to suffer this military dictatorship. And to learn that we have friends and people who want to support us, I think this is very inspiring. And we will have to continue to learn, you know, from many other models that will help us to bring, you know, to inspire us and to bring change.

But for me, my inspiration is also the people of Burma, you know, who continue to resist and continue to live, you know, their lives under this military regime. And still, you know, they want to see change, you know, inside Burma.

My inspiration is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who continues to fight, you know, this fight many years under house arrest. And her vision, you know, to see the change and freedom in Burma, is still very strong. And she is our role model, and role model not only for the people of Burma, but also as women, you know, and also young people, young generation from Burma.

Interviewed August 2010

Charm Tong co-founded the Shan Women’s Action Network, when she was only 17. The organization is dedicated to stopping the exploitation of and violence against women and children in 1999.

Three years later, recognizing that their lack of education leaves the Shan young people more vulnerable to being trafficked or lured into other forms of exploitation, Tong founded the School for Shan State Nationalities Youth. The school works to empower and build the capacity of students to become leaders in their communities. It is regarded as a model for human rights education and training of young people from Burma and elsewhere.

Tong has also been instrumental in launching a campaign to bring attention to the systematic use of rape of Shan women by the Burmese military. The campaign, based on a report called “License to Rape,” has received considerable international attention.

Tong has received several international awards, including the Marie Claire Women of the Year Award and the Reebok Human Rights Award. In October 2005, she met at the White House with President George W. Bush.