Esther Ze Naw

Esther Ze Naw (; born 15 February 1994) is a Kachin, humanitarian, democracy and ethnic minority rights activist. She appeared on the Time 100 for 2021, along with Ei Thinzar Maung.

Early life and education Esther was born in a hilly region in Shan State, Myanmar. After graduating with a liberal arts degree from the Myanmar Institute of Theology, she continued her studies at Chiang Mai University and completed a master of economics degree in 2018. She also received a diploma in political science from the University of Yangon and another in public administration from the University of Basel.

Social activities and political career Esther started her activism in 2011, after a cease-fire between the Tatmadaw (military) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) collapsed. Esther worked in Kachin and northern Shan states to provide assistance to civilians who had been displaced by the renewed fighting.

From 2010 to 2016, she was a youth leader for the Myanmar Institute of Theology, Students Christian Movement (Myanmar), National Young Men Christian Association (YMCA-Myanmar), Kachin Baptist Convention and Kachin Students Fellowship (Yangon).

Esther was one of the few people who spoke out on the Rohingya issues and protested against Aung San Suu Kyi's defence of the military at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2019. She criticized the National League for Democracy (NLD) politicians, who won a majority of seats in the parliament, because they "neglect all issues from ethnic areas", making minorities "second-class citizens in our own country". together with NLD supporters, who agree on "the same core demands".