Pen Ci Lo
Pen Ci Lo (ပန်ဆယ်လို) is the pen name of Eaint Poe Ou, a Burmese writer and pro-democracy activist born on April 14, 1990, in Myaungmya, Myanmar. She is best known for her outspoken criticism of the Myanmar military junta and her advocacy for democratic reforms.
📚 Early Life and Education
Pen Ci Lo graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry from Dagon University in 2011. She began her literary career in 2016 with the publication of her book Under The Mask (မျက်နှာဖုံးတွေရဲ့အောက်), which became a bestseller in Myanmar. Her subsequent works include Azatthakaungkyaung (အဇ္စျတ္တကောက်ကြောင်း), Yethaukmyitkote (ရေသောက်မြစ်ကို တူးဖော်ခြင်း), and Kyalwinyoe Sonekalu (ကြယ်ဝင်ရိုးစွန်းပေါ်ကလူ) .
✊ Activism and Legal Challenges
A staunch supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Pen Ci Lo has been an active voice against the military’s actions. In 2017, she faced legal action under Section 66(d) of Myanmar’s Telecommunications Law for posts critical of military leaders and controversial figures. However, she was acquitted in 2020, with the court ruling in her favor .
Following the 2021 military coup, Pen Ci Lo was among several prominent figures charged with inciting unrest. She fled Myanmar, first seeking refuge in Thailand and later resettling in the United States as a political refugee. During her time in exile, she has continued her activism, including leading fundraising campaigns for Myanmar’s pro-democracy movements .
📖 Literary Contributions and Recognition
In 2022, Pen Ci Lo published Burma Spring Revolution, a book detailing her experiences during the coup and the subsequent resistance. The book was translated into Korean and became a bestseller in South Korea. She has received international recognition for her efforts, including the Kim Geun Tae Foundation Democracy Award in 2022, which she donated to support Myanmar’s democracy movements .
🏠 Controversies and Criticisms
Despite her advocacy, Pen Ci Lo has faced criticism from some quarters. In 2024, she was accused of misusing funds raised for Myanmar’s pro-democracy movements after purchasing a $1 million home in California. She denied these allegations, stating that the purchase was made through a credit loan and not with political funds .
🌍 Legacy and Impact
Pen Ci Lo remains a significant figure in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement. Through her writings and activism, she continues to advocate for freedom and justice, providing a voice for those who oppose the military junta.
Conclusion
Given her significant contributions to literature and her active role in advocating for democracy in Myanmar, Pencilo is indeed qualified to be included in discussions about influential figures in Myanmar. Her works and activism continue to inspire and inform those interested in Myanmar’s political and social landscape.
