Kay Du / Kantarawaddy Times
“Throughout the revolution, we’ve faced many difficulties, especially doing it all without any income. Before, I enjoyed dressing up beautifully and taking care of my appearance like any other woman. But now, as a female revolutionary, I live in the jungle and have had to leave all of that behind,” shared Mia, a young woman in her 20s, who chose the revolutionary path and now stands shoulder to shoulder with her male comrades to fight the military regime.
Mia, as well as many female fighters, has no income and faces significant challenges in covering basic needs like personal hygiene, monthly necessities (menstrual supplies), and other living expenses.
They chose the revolutionary path for the public good, so there’s no time or resources for them to take care of their appearance. Leaving behind the comforts of life and stylish clothes, they now live in forest camps, eating and enduring hardships alongside their fellow fighters.
As a woman, the struggle is even more difficult compared to their male comrades. Despite being hot and rainy, she carries a backpack on her shoulders and has to trek through hills and jungles.
While she is very exhausted on the frontlines, she sometimes recalls the days when she could enjoy being beautifully dressed. However, she takes strength by reminding herself that the people (civilians) are suffering even more.
“Sometimes I really miss the days when I could live in comfort. But since joining the revolution, I don’t have any income. And when I look at the displaced people who are struggling even for survival more than I am, I console myself and find strength,” Mia said.
After the 2021 military coup, Mia transitioned from peaceful protesting in the streets to taking up arms. She had previously attended a four-week youth training in March 2021 and later joined the training, particularly Batch (75), offered by the Karenni Army (KA). By doing so, she became one of the revolutionary fighters.
Now, she is serving in a role assigned within Karenni territory and continues trying to face and overcome daily challenges.
Mia is not alone in valuing beauty. Beauty is something that both women and men desire. But after the coup, many youths like Mia have had to give up their rights and choose the revolutionary path instead.
Among those on the frontlines is Maw Dar Myar, another female revolutionary who marches alongside her male comrades. She shared her experiences as well.
“Living in the jungle, we eat and live just like the male soldiers. Of course, as a woman, I still love and appreciate beauty, but that’s kind of not possible anymore. Female fighters like us even struggle to access basic needs like menstrual products and personal hygiene items,” she said.
Without any income, Maw Dar Myar opened up about the difficulties she faces on the frontline. Even with all these challenges, she and others keep pushing forward, doing what they can to survive and contribute.
Maw Dar Myar is a combat medic who is responsible for taking care of wounded soldiers on the frontlines. During times when she’s not on the battlefield, she visits IDP camps to provide medical assistance to displaced people. No matter how exhausting the journey is, she remains determined not to give up until the revolution succeeds, and is going to stand with the people until the end.
Although she cannot fight in battles like the male soldiers, she uses her medical knowledge to help in any way she can.
“After the military coup, I could no longer continue my education. So, I joined the revolution and studied health care (medical training). I want to help the people and wounded fighters as much as I can. I may not be able to fight, but I can still contribute through medicine,” said Maw Dar Myar.
Like Mia and Maw Dar Myar, there are countless female revolutionary fighters serving wherever they are needed. These women have given up the things they once valued and have now committed themselves to the revolutionary journey until the very end.
