Women Resort to Selling Their Hair to Survive in Burma

Souce: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB interviewed Daw Le Le, a member of the National League for Democracy, regarding her experience in custody since being detained on the 29th of Septenber.

During the interview, she revealed that she met a fellow NLD member in prison who told her that she had to sell her daughter's hair in order to put up a deposit for a trishaw. She received about 20,000 kyats (~ 15 USD) in payment. However, as she was detained on that very day, she had to use this money.

While Daw Le Le did not mention explicitly what the money was being used for, she mentioned that it was possible to get the prison staff to buy basic provisions for them. She also mentioned that the stay in prison was tougher for those who were not anticipating their arrests, and had no money or extra clothing with them.

Her cell mate had a similar story to share; Daw Le Le noticed that clumps of her hair were missing. The woman told her that she had to sell her hair to get by because her family was in financial difficulties.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.