About KNWO

About KNWO

KNWO is a community-based organization that looks after the wellbeing of disadvantaged Karenni people caught in armed conflict. It was organized as early as 1981 inside Karenni State and reestablished in 1993 in the Thailand-Burma border. KNWO commits to serve the women and children in the refugee camps, inside the IDP areas, and along the border villages, from carrying out integral programs to meet their social, educational and economic needs to enabling women to defend their rights and utilize leadership potentials.

KNWO has over 500 members todate who elect a central committee every four years. Under the central committee are camp committees that implement projects and activities inside the refugee camps.

Our Mission : To provide Karenni women with useful skills for the future, to prepare them for a greater leadership role in a future Karenni State, and to create lasting links with the international community.

Objectives

To empower Karenni women to play a leadership role
To organize education, income generation and other projects for the benefit of the entire Karenni refugee population
To increase international awareness of the Karenni situation
To promote gender equality and fight all forms of discrimination
To preserve the customs, literature and languages of the Karenni people
To promote and advocate for women and child rights
To take care of women who are affected by violence

Programs

KNWO operates five interlocking programs to meet its objectives:

Capacity Building aims to empower women in carrying out community development and leadership roles through knowledge sharing and skills training.

Child Development looks after the integral growth and development of children while also promoting responsible parenthood.

Women and Children Protection offers the necessary support mechanisms to women, girls and children who mostly need protection from multiple forms of abuse, discrimination and violence.

Vocational Development provides opportunities for women to generate income through small-scale livelihood projects.

Documentation, Research and Advocacy manages the collection of information and initiates advocacy campaigns to advance the status of women in society. Cases documented are shared with network organizations for collective advocacy action.