Seng Mai Maran is an award-winning journalist/photographer and editor-in-chief of Myitkyina News
Journal in Kachin state in Myanmar. In 2014 the 28-year- old co-founded the paper, the only regional
independent newspaper in the state. She has gained wide recognition for her work addressing
women issues in conflict areas, such as drug abuse, discrimination and violence.  In February, she
won the prestigious first prize at the Yangon Photo Festival for her photo essay about female
soldiers fighting for the Kachin Independent Army. Seng Mai has background form BBC Burmese
Radio and various newspapers in Myanmar. She has a college-diploma in computer science.