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Champion of stateless Lahu wins women's day rights award

Mother of six and hard-working politician Pariyanadda Phansaenkor is the March 8 International Women's Day human-rights defender of the year award winner.

The 50-year-old fighter for stateless people was given the gong by the National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday.

She hails from Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district, where she has been Ban Pong Hai headwoman since 2003.

The commission says she works tirelessly demanding nationality for the stateless Lahu of her village.

Pariyanadda mediates and translates for Lahu negotiating the labyrinthine judicial process of gaining nationality.

Through her hard work and dedication, many Lahu have become full citizens, complete with identity cards. Ban Pong Hai is now recognised as an official village, too.

In addition, Pariyanadda secured funding from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to get water to households in the village.

She gets drug addicts into rehab and encourages residents to protect their own environment. Firebreaks she helps build every year protect community forest.

Other winners of the awards included chairwoman of the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice Preeyanan Lorsermwattana, human rights activist Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, and the "Sor Six" Group formed by women in the three southernmost to help those affected by the region's unrest.


The Nation