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RAISA Profile
RAISA Profile
The RAISA, Rohingya youth led network of Southeast Asia, spearheaded by a Rohingya Feminist with over 12 years of experience in Myanmar's Rakhine State, is a young community organization which is at the forefront of solidarity movement among Rohingya refugees. Initiated by a network of seven Rohingya women actively engaged in Rakhine State in 2023, the association boasts members from eight civil society organizations and one Rohingya Youth led Media channel across Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. Presently, the membership of RAISA comprises over 70 members, including 20 women and 50 men. Its board contains 6 women and 4 men from Rakhine and Bangladesh. So far This network's interconnectedness not only fortifies collective advocacy efforts but also bolsters the resilience of the Rohingya community, creating a potent force for transitional justice advocacy, awareness-raising, and international support garnering. The number of civil society organization among RAISA network has grown to 21 within a year which includes 4 women organizations from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
RAISA Vision and Mission
RAISA Vision and Mission
Vision:
"To create a just and inclusive society in a future new state of “Myanmar” where Rohingya communities and other marginalized groups thrive, empowered by their collective strength, resilience, and dignity."
Mission:
RAISA is dedicated to advancing the rights, well-being, and aspirations of Rohingya populations and other marginalized communities in Myanmar. Through strategic advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and inclusive partnerships, we strive to foster interconnectedness, amplify voices, and promote justice and equality for all.
Our mission is to develop comprehensive roadmaps for the future, cultivate alliances, and empower youth and women to lead transformative change, while engaging stakeholders to amplify our impact and uphold the principles of transitional justice and human rights.
RAISA Principles
RAISA Principles
At RAISA, we are steadfast in our commitment to upholding feminist values and principles in all aspects of our work. We believe in the fundamental equality of all genders and advocate for the empowerment of women and marginalized gender groups. Our approach is rooted in intersectionality, recognizing the interconnected nature of systems of oppression and striving to address the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, and other identities. We prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and representation, ensuring that the voices and experiences of women and marginalized genders are central to our decision-making processes and programmatic interventions. We stand against all forms of discrimination, violence, and exploitation, and work towards creating a world where gender equality and justice are not only envisioned but actively realized. Through our advocacy, capacity-building, and community engagement efforts, we seek to contribute to the advancement of feminist ideals and the realization of gender justice for all.
RAISA Objectives
RAISA Objectives
Short-Term Objectives:
- Provide technical support to Rohingya women-led organizations and facilitate partnership formation.
- Promote increased women's participation in transitional justice processes to ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are represented and addressed.
- Enhance the capacity of Rohingya youth and raise awareness on transitional justice principles and practices.
- Establish a robust network of Rohingya youth and forge alliances with other minority groups in Myanmar to collectively address shared challenges.
- Empower Rohingya youth to assume leadership roles in advocating for their community's rights and interests.
- Increase the capacity and participation of women within Rohingya civil society organizations.
Long Term Objectives:
- Develop a comprehensive Roadmap for the future of Rohingya communities and transitional justice initiatives.
-Promote gender equality and the power balance between men and women within Rohingya society.
- Cultivate interconnectedness among Rohingya civil society organizations to enhance collaboration and collective impact.
- Foster alliances between minority groups in Myanmar and strengthen partnerships between Rohingya civil society and other marginalized communities.
- Engage with stakeholders, both local and international organizations, to amplify the RAISA civil society network and advocate for the rights and well-being of Rohingya populations.
Networking Events
Networking Events
Networking and Building Solidarity Among Minorities
RAISA has implemented more than 20 networking meetings between Rohingya youths from Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and India to share the ground situation of Rohingya in Southeast Asia and to increase awareness over the conflict related situation in Myanmar Rakhine state.
Research and Advocacy
Research and Advocacy
RAISA team members are the strong Rohingya community leaders who participated in several key advocacy events both inside Myanmar, Bangladesh and regional and international levels.
RAISA founder, Dr Tin Mar Oo, participated as a panelist for several key events on refugee issues, Regional ASEAN meeting, ICJ gender report presentation meetings and academic forums in Asia and United States.
Capacity Building Program
Capacity Building Program
In 2024, RAISA team implemented minority workshops in collaboration with Minority Affair Institute (MAI). RAISA partners organizations such as Thet Youth Development Organization, Minority Education and Democracy Organization, Akha Ethnic Union, Spring Revolution Interfaith Network, Arakan Gender and Development Society and other Rohingya civil society organizations joined these workshops and shared their insights in the training.
RAISA implemented more than 20 training on social cohesion, federalism and state building, democracy, International Human Rights Mechanism, Media and Digital Literacy Training, Gender and GBV Awareness Training, Critical Thinking skill Training bringing Rohingya youths from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India together with other ethnic youths from Myanmar.
Our training reached overall 120 men and 96 women and 3 LGBT individuals in 2024.
Programs and Achievements
Programs and Achievements
"Youth Led Initiative for Just Future". Funded by Asia Justice and Rights Organization Sub-grant. Duration - 3months in 2023.
"Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: A Project for Ethnic Minority Empowerment and Social Cohesion" Funded by Asia Justice and Rights Organization Sub-grant. Duration - 8 months in 2024.
"Voices amid Strife: Rohingya perception on Arakan Army, War in Rakhine state and Justice in Myanmar". Funded by Canadian Government, Knowledge for Democracy Grant. Duration- 1 year in 2024.
Community Partner Organizations
Community Partner Organizations
Arakan Gender and Development Society (AGDS)
Peace point
Arakan Rohingya Youth Forum
Rohingya Society Malaysia
Rohingya Union for Women Education and Development
Rohingya Youth Association
Arakan Rohingya Society Peace and Human Rights
Power of Rohingya Youth (Blood donation Team)
Rohingya Progressive Network (RPN) (Cox Bazar)
Arakan Youth Peace Network
Rohingya Human Rights Initiatives
Rohingya Inspiration Network
Rohingya Academic Research Forum
Rohingya Youth Rights
Rohingya Christian Youth Union
Rohingya Justice Initiatives
Rohingya Student Union
Rohingya Green Nature Society
Education and Wisdom Development for Rohingya Women
Voice of Rohingya Women and Students (VRWS)
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