A US-based popular women's magazine, Marie Claire, has chosen a Shan for its first ever 10 Women of the World (WOW) awards, according to its December issue. Equality NOW, a women group based in New York has nominated Nang Charm Tong for her efforts in helping women and children towards change.
Nang Charm Tong, 23, and the Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN), of which she is a member, will be receiving $ 5,000 in the furtherance of its cause. She said, "Money is going to be the great support for our work in SWAN program. We are currently operating for women and children in our advocacy work towards social justice for our people." She co-authored SWAN report of "License to Rape" and submmitted the report to United Nation Human Rights Commission in April 2004.
She said," I'm very happy because the International community and our friends recognized what we are doing and also help our work contributed towards the change. And also promote whatever we can, especially the problems of women facing under the current military regime."
Charm Tong is the fifth child to the late Col Zarmmai and Nang Ying Noom. She was born in Shan State but brought up on the Thai-Burma border. Her father Zarmmai, who died on 30 July at the age of 54, was known as one of the most intrepid fighting commanders of the Shan State Army.
Charm Tong has also been running a school since 2001 for youths from Shan State eager to broaden their perspectives and promote youth participation in social and political change.