Due to the violent actions of the military junta forces, a total of 71 women, including 13 young women under the age of 18, were killed across the country in April, according to the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU).
The highest number of deaths occurred in Sagaing Region, primarily due to airstrikes conducted by the junta, said Ma Wai Wai Hlaing, BWU’s Joint General Secretary-1.
“The terrorist military has increasingly targeted Sagaing Region with airstrikes. On 28 March, the Sagaing earthquake caused significant harm and losses to civilians. Even though the military junta declared a ceasefire at that time, they did not honor their word and instead continued to target civilians. They specifically carried out airstrikes targeting Sagaing Region, leading to these deaths,” she said.
In April alone, 59 women were killed by the junta airstrikes and bombings, seven by artillery attacks, and five by direct killings, according to BWU’s statement.
Of the 71 women killed, 13 were young women under 18, a BWU official confirmed.
Ma Wai Wai Hlaing said: “The terrorist military junta is a brutal group that mercilessly kills anyone, under any circumstances, to retain their power.”
According to BWU, a total of 50 women were also wounded – 40 of them due to airstrikes, five due to artillery attacks, one due to rape committed by a member of the Arakha Army (AA).
The junta also increasingly used airstrikes to target civilians who are facing natural disasters, more so than in previous months, BWU noted.
Commenting on the rising number of women’s fatalities across Myanmar, Ma Wai Wai Hlaing said: “The main reason is that the terrorist military junta has intensified its airstrikes. And, in cases of conflict-related sexual violence, the perpetrators are often armed individuals. These armed perpetrators commit conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, and then kill their victims to silence them. That’s how we see it.”
The women killed in April included 30 from Sagaing Region, 14 from Mandalay Region, five from Bago Region, four from Magway Region, four from Chin State, four from Arakan State, four from Karen State, three from Karenni State, two from Mon State, and one from Shan State.
Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) is actively documenting the circumstances of women’s deaths and incidents of violence daily.
The organization also advocates to relevant parties to ensure justice for victims and for perpetrators to be punished accordingly.
Sent by NMG.
