The advocacy group Women for Justice (WJ) issued an urgent appeal on 5 March for sanitary products and essential medicines to support women and girls currently living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Chin State and the Sagaing Region.
The organization highlighted a dire shortage of prenatal vitamins, contraceptives, painkillers, and traditional uterine tonics, noting that the breakdown of basic healthcare services in these conflict-affected areas has left thousands of displaced women at critical risk.
The crisis is exacerbated by overcrowded and insecure living conditions within the camps.
According to WJ, the lack of gender-segregated toilets, bathrooms, and sleeping quarters has led to a significant increase in sexual harassment and verbal abuse directed at women. In February alone, WJ documented seven specific cases of violence against women in these regions, including domestic abuse, rape, and sexual deception. However, with the formal justice system effectively collapsed following the military coup, victims face severe security threats when attempting to report these crimes or seek legal recourse.
In February, the Military Commission troops’ airstrikes in Chin and Sagaing killed 24 people, including 10 men and 14 unidentified by gender and as well as wounded three men, three women, and 42 individuals of unidentified gender.
Data from WJ also shows that heavy weaponry used by the Military Commission killed two men and two women, while injuring two men, one woman, and three unidentified individuals. Furthermore, one man was killed by a landmine.
During February, WJ documented seven cases of violence against women in the Sagaing and Chin regions, including two cases of domestic violence, one case of sexual deception, two cases of bigamy (violating monogamy), and one rape case.
The organization stated that they are providing psychological counseling and necessary support to the victims of these crimes.
However, due to the breakdown of the rule of law following the military coup, victims are facing security concerns when attempting to seek justice through the courts for violence committed against them.
As the number of displaced persons grows due to military columns, airstrikes, and the burning of homes by the Military Commission, IDP camps in these areas continue to lack basic healthcare services.
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