The Phan Foundation is pleased to announce that Padoh Naw Shee Wah from Hpa-An District, is the winner of the 2024 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. Padoh Naw Shee Wah is the Head of Organising and Information Department, as well as Secretary of Emergency Support Committee for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), of Hpa-An District of Kawthoolei (Karen State).
The Phan Foundation created this Padoh Mahn Sha Young leader award, given annually, to recognise the work of young Karen leaders, with the financial support of $4,000 for their valuable work.
Padoh Naw Shee Wah is the only woman leader and the youngest Executive Committee member of Hpa-An District with 12 years of work experience within the community. As part of her role as a leader, she focuses on grassroots empowerment, the promotion of education, poverty alleviation, and promotion of justice and accountability for local populations. She organises different communities, educates them about their rights and the Karen struggle, helps villagers, provides shelter and support for IDPs and people from Civil Disobedient Movements. After the 2021 Burmese military coup, many politicians, activists, celebrities and other young people from central Burma escaped the crackdown by the Burmese military and fled to Kawthoolei. Many of them took shelter in Hpa-An District and in response to that, Padoh Naw Shee Wah was assigned to lead the relief support for them, where she was able to assist many who were in desperate need.
“I am so delighted to receive the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader award given by the Phan Foundation. Since I started to get involved with community work, I never dreamt of receiving an award like this, and it is very unexpected for me. It is a great encouragement for me, and also for other young community leaders to keep going and to keep helping our society. Grandfather Padoh Mahn Sha said – if we would really like to see freedom and self-determination for our people, we have to work very hard for it. His words are very important and valuable for us indeed,” said Padoh Naw Shee Wah, recipient of the 2024 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader award.
In the nomination letter by Naw K’Nyaw Paw, Chairperson of the Karen Women’s Organisation, she wrote, “Padoh Naw Shee Wah is a role model and a great example for many youth, especially young Karen women. She is very brave and courageous, with excellent leadership skills. She also uses her influence to advocate for the protection and rights for women in her district. She dedicates her life for her people and for Kawthoolei. She is an outstanding young woman leader with strong leadership and principles, standing firm among other men leaders. She was consistent in leading, organising, protecting and advocating for many women in Kawthoolei”. Naw K’Nyaw Paw herself is a recipient of the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader award.
Nant Zoya Phan, Director at the Phan Foundation said: “Padoh Naw Shee Wah is one of the many young leaders who work so hard for the development of grassroots communities, to fight for their rights and to have their voice heard. This is so important for our society. She is a shining star for Kawthoolei and the Phan Foundation is inspired by her courage and commitment. We are thrilled to be able to recognise her achievement and support her valuable work. Through the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award, we hope to be able to help our people through dedicated leaders like Padoh Naw Shee Wah and others.”
The Phan Foundation was established in 2008 in memory of Padoh Mahn Sha and Nant Kyin Shwe. The foundation supports Karen people, focusing in four areas: education, human rights, culture and poverty alleviation.
The award will be given to Padoh Naw Shee Wah in person at the celebration of 76th Karen Revolution Day in Kawthoolei on 31st January 2025.