Nandar

Myanmar, CAHR, April 2024 to July 2024

Nandar, a feminist activist, storyteller, and podcaster hailing from Northern Shan State, Myanmar, has dedicated her life to challenging injustices faced by women and girls in her community. Raised in a milieu that exposed her to the complexities of identity and oppression, Nandar resolved to confront these issues head-on rather than succumb to them.

Drawing strength from her passion for storytelling, Nandar founded the Purple Feminists Group (PFG), an organization committed to dismantling patriarchal structures and empowering women and girls across Myanmar. Through PFG, she advocates for menstrual justice, amplifying the voices of the marginalized and advocating for their rights.

A pivotal moment in Nandar's journey was her translation and publication of the works of acclaimed feminist author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie into Burmese. These translated works, including "Why We Should All Be Feminists" and "Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in (15) Suggestions," marked her public declaration as a feminist and opened up feminist discourse to Burmese-speaking audiences.

In addition to her advocacy work, Nandar is deeply involved in storytelling through her podcasts, "G-Taw Zagar Wyne" in Burmese and "Feminist Talks" in English. These platforms serve as avenues for critical dialogue on feminism, social justice, and human rights, amplifying marginalized voices and sparking meaningful conversations.

Nandar's contributions extend to the realm of theater, where she co-organized and co-directed the bilingual production of "The Vagina Monologues" for five consecutive years. This groundbreaking performance challenged societal taboos surrounding female sexuality and empowerment.

Her dedication to advocacy has garnered recognition both locally and internationally. Nandar was honored to be named in the BBC 100 Women list in 2020 and during her time at the CAHR Protective Writing Fellowship at the University of York, UK, she aims to focus on reflecting her journey as ethnic minority to shape into a form of storytelling.

In every facet of her work, whether through literature, podcasting, or activism, Nandar remains steadfast in her mission to effect positive change and create a more equitable world for all.