Around 15 percent of Myanmar women sold as brides to China are from Arakan State, and it has been found that they are often sold by close friends, according to San Htoi, a spokesperson for the Kachin Women’s Association-Thailand (KWAT).
San Htoi said, “We’ve provided extensive support to the victims. Looking at the actual trafficking cases, out of 187 cases, many are from Arakan State. In terms of percentage, this accounts for about 15 percent of the total.”
The 15 percent refers to the proportion of Arakanese women who were sold as brides to China between 2019 and 2023.
In a new report titled “Trafficking of women from throughout Burma to be forced brides in China,” released by the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) on 19 December, 2024, it was revealed that the forced sale of women as brides to China has become alarmingly widespread across various regions of Myanmar during these years.
She advised that Arakanese women, before going abroad, should not blindly trust what their close friends say. They need to personally inquire about the work and location they will be involved in and learn about the departments they can contact for help.
She warned, “Arakanese women have the right to work. When you’re lured to a job, you can’t trust everything you’re told. You need to verify for yourself if it’s true and if the job is legitimate. Avoid handing over your NRC card and passport. It’s a worrying situation, especially if your phone is confiscated.”
She continued, “Arakanese women are often trafficked when they come to Yangon in search of work. Some cases even involve trafficking by their boyfriends.”
San Htoi said, “Take a look at a case from Arakan State: a woman came to Yangon to find a job. When she arrived, her boyfriend took her to the border, claiming there was a job, and then sold her to China.”
According to KWAT’s survey, between 2019 and 2023, 178 women managed to escape after being sold as brides to China.
According to a report by KWAT, the number of cases involving young Myanmar women being sold as brides to China, which KWAT had to assist with, has tripled.
While young Myanmar women are being sold as brides to China, the number of women being trafficked to online money scam gangs has also significantly increased.
Sent by Narainjara
