Yin Yin Aye, a Yangon Bus Service (YBS) public transportation bus driver, drives a bus on the road in Yangon, Myanmar, March 8, 2025. - Xinhua
YANGON: As the world celebrates International Women's Day, it is essential to recognise the remarkable contributions of Myanmar women who are shaping communities and breaking barriers across various fields.
Lei Lei Win, founder of the Shwe Myittar Charity Organisation, balances multiple responsibilities as a mother, daughter, and dedicated leader.
"We have no choice in how we are born. Being a woman is our existence, and we must embrace it. Women possess both a soft heart and a strong spirit that is the true strength of all women," she told Xinhua on International Women's Day.
"In our country, organisations such as the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF), Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and other women-focused organisations provide support, she said, adding that their presence ensures that no one has to face their struggles alone, offering assistance and guidance to those in need.
Under her leadership, the three-year-old Shwe Myittar Charity Organisation provides essential services, including emergency ambulance transportation to ensure patients reach hospitals on time, rental of oxygen concentrators and medical equipment, and free childbirth assistance for expectant mothers, she said.
Another courageous woman, Yin Yin Aye, 37, who has been earning a living as a Yangon Bus Service (YBS) public transportation bus driver for the past nine years, said, "I am a single mother with a family of four - my father, mother, daughter, and me. This job is male-dominated, but I took up this job not only to provide for my family, but also to show that women can do what men do."
"I take pride in serving my community through my work. I drive five days a week, starting at 5:30 a.m. and finishing at 8:30 p.m.," she said.
"At first, I faced many challenges, from mechanical issues to navigating bus routes. As a woman, I only knew how to drive but had no knowledge of fixing a vehicle if something went wrong on the road," she recalled.
"However, over time, I adapted to my job. Despite the difficulties, I persevered and overcame them. I never gave up and faced the future with courage," she added.
The third inspiring woman is Hnin Si Myint, who has been running the Golden Heart Disabled Animals Rescue Shelter for over a decade.
"Women face challenges in certain jobs, but we can work alongside men. Don't feel discouraged or think you cannot do it, just take the initiative and have a try. Things will happen," she said, adding that "I founded this shelter with that mindset."
Reflecting on the evolving role of women in Myanmar, Thi Thi Myint, 52, a member of the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, noted that past generations of women were limited to household duties, with little knowledge of the world's progress. But now, women are not only managing their family responsibilities, but also working outside to earn a living.
"Through this federation, we empower women with knowledge and a mindset that they can work alongside men with courage and confidence," she said. To mark International Women's Day in Myanmar, the federation organises talk shows, beauty pageants, and handicraft training programmes to create opportunities for women, she added. - Xinhua
