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Tawng Mai

Master ofArts in Social Science (Track of Women & Gender Studies),

Chiang MaiUniversity, Thailand

Year of Graduation: 2025

Pursuing my Master’s degree has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. As a student at Chiang
personally and

Mai University, I have had the opportunity not only to deepen my academic knowledge but also to grow

(PWDs)

professionally. Coming from Myanmar, where opportunities for persons with disabilitiesespecially women are
extremely limited, this journey represents much more than education. It is a path toward empowerment and change.
My studies have helped me to criticallye issues related to gender, disability inclusion, and social justice through
analys

both theoretical and practical perspectives.

One of the most valuable aspects of my Master’s programhas been the opportunity to engage with classmates and
me

professors from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. The open and inclusive learning environment has
encouraged me to share my lived experiences and perspectives as a woman with a disability fro
m a conflict
-
affected
area. Through discussions and collaborative research, I have learned to connect global theories with local realities,
particularly in the context of Myanmar’s ongoing challenges

.

My current thesis, titled “A Study on Disability through the Perspective of Kachin Ethnic Communities in Myanmar,”
explores how disability is socially constructed and understood within Kachin society. It also examines how cultural
beliefs, conflict, and gender norms shape the lives of people with disabilities particularly women. By using the
theoretical frameworks of Bourdieu and Foucault, my research aims to uncover how social structures, power relations,
and cultural meanings influence inclusion and exclusion in Kachin communities.

Beyond academics, studying at Chiang Mai University has helped me become more independent and confident. The
campus has provided a supportive environment where I can actively promote disability inclusion, engage in student

discussions, and build networks with others who share a passion for social justice and equality.

I have also faced daily challenges related to accessibility and attitudes toward disability. For example, some taxi
drivers are impatient or refuse to pick me up when they see that I use a wheelchair. They often assume that I have a
health problem or disease, which reflects the deeprooted stigma that still exists in society. These moments can be
-
discouraging, but they have also strengthened my determination to raise awareness about disability rights and
munity.

promote greater understanding and inclusion in my com
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