Mizzima
30 women were killed by the junta in Myanmar and a further 17 were injured during February, according to a report by the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU).
The majority of the deaths were due to airstrikes and artillery fire, though some of the women were shot and killed whilst they were under arrest or died in prison, according to the BWU. It also recorded that women had been killed in combat, raped then murdered, burned, tortured, detained, or went missing under unknown circumstances.
Women’s deaths during February were recorded by the BWU in Sagaing, Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Bago, and Yangon regions, as well as in Karenni and Karen States.
Cherry Moe a resident of Karenni State highlighted the precarious situation faced by women in Karenni State, where clashes between the Military Council and the revolutionary forces have escalated.
She said: “Mothers with young children and pregnant women in particular are experiencing the erosion of their healthcare rights. They are not only losing their lives and possessions but also their access to essential medical services. Conflict-driven displacement forces us to flee, with women encountering additional challenges as they lack access to motorbikes or cars, and petrol is prohibitively expensive. Many women have resorted to carrying their children on their backs as they flee on foot. While we try to escape, the junta fires artillery and launches airstrikes against us.”
Cherry Moe also urged human rights activists and the global community to document the egregious violations of women’s rights in Myanmar and to take decisive action.
Every month since the 1 February 2021 coup women have been killed and injured by the junta in Myanmar.
Since the coup until the end of February 2024 the Myanmar junta has killed 806 women and imprisoned over 3,300, according to the BWU
