Thinzar Shunlei Yi
Thinzar Shunlei Yi: Myanmar’s Voice for Democracy and Women’s Rights
Early Life and Education
Born on November 14, 1991, in Sagaing, Myanmar, Thinzar Shunlei Yi hails from a military family. Her father, a Burmese army captain, and her mother, a Kachin Christian, raised her within military compounds, where she experienced the privileges and hierarchical structures of the military elite. Initially supportive of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military), her perspective shifted after witnessing the Saffron Revolution in 2007 and engaging with democratic ideals during her university years. She graduated in 2013 from the Yangon University of Education with a Bachelor of Education degree.
Thinzar’s activism began in 2012 when she co-organized Myanmar’s first public peace march, advocating for an end to the civil war. She later served as the first female national coordinator of the National Youth Congress and as president of the Yangon Youth Network. Her initiatives focused on youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and promoting diversity through campaigns like #myfriend, which aimed to bridge ethnic and religious divides.
In 2016, she received the U.S. State Department’s Emerging Young Leaders Award for her contributions to youth development and dialogue. By 2019, she was honored with the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Award in Media & Communications and became an inaugural Obama Foundation Leader for Asia Pacific.
Resistance Against the 2021 Military Coup
Following the military coup on February 1, 2021, Thinzar emerged as a prominent figure in the civil disobedience movement. She organized protests, advocated for the abolition of the 2008 military-drafted constitution, and highlighted the military’s use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. In response, she founded the #Sisters2Sisters campaign, encouraging women to share stories of abuse and raise awareness of wartime sexual violence. The campaign’s efforts led to a significant increase in the visibility of such issues, with abusive language against women on social media platforms rising eightfold following the coup.
Facing increasing threats, Thinzar fled Myanmar, initially seeking refuge in the jungle and later relocating to Thailand. Despite the dangers, she continues her advocacy work, contributing to international media outlets and collaborating with organizations like Myanmar Witness to document human rights abuses.
Wikipedia
Publications and Recognition
In 2022, Thinzar co-authored an autobiography with French journalist Guillaume Pajot, titled My Fight Against the Myanmar Junta, detailing her experiences and the broader struggle for democracy in Myanmar. Her courage and unwavering commitment to justice have earned her numerous accolades, including the Magnitsky Human Rights Award for Outstanding Young Activist in 2022.
Legacy and Impact
Thinzar Shunlei Yi’s journey from a military upbringing to a leading voice in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement underscores her resilience and dedication to human rights. Her work continues to inspire many, especially women and youth, to stand against oppression and advocate for a free and democratic Myanmar.
