Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, hard-won gains achieved by and for women and girls have significantly eroded. Myanmar's women and girls now face a compounded crisis. Women human rights defenders have become political targets resulting in harassment, forcible detention, displacement, sexual and gender based violence, torture and death. Many have had to flee the country for safety.
Women-led civil society organisations (CSOs) used the opening of civic space during Myanmar's democratic transition to grow and establish strong networks at Union and State levels, becoming key actors in policy and programming for women and girls. Despite the significant challenges they face, these networks and individual women human rights defenders continue to play a critical leadership role in promoting human rights, highlighting the gendered impacts of the crisis and defining the political future for the country.
Norway promotes & supports women-led civil society organisations in Myanmar. The Norwegian Mission to the UN hosted a press briefing with Myanmar women representatives in the UN Headquarters on 13 March 2023. The speakers were May Sabe Phuy from the The Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar and Naw Hser Hser, from the Women’s League of Burma.
Opening remarks by Ambassador of Norway, Mona Juul:
Two years have passed since the military coup in Myanmar. The situation is critical; with more than 17 million people in humanitarian need and ongoing armed clashes.
For women and girls in particular, the coup has reversed a decade of progress. Women human rights defenders have become political targets resulting in harassment, forcible detention, displacement, torture and death. Many women have been forced to flee their country for safety.
During Myanmar's democratic transition, women-led civil society organisations used the opening of civic space to grow and establish strong networks. They became key actors in policy development for women and girls.
Despite the significant challenges they now face, these networks and individual women human rights defenders continue to play a critical leadership role in promoting human rights – for all - and in defining the political future for the country.
It is absolutely critical to protect women civil society, and to include women in political processes, in order to save the future of Myanmar.
During the first week of the Women’s Commission, Norway hosted several meetings in order to give Myanmar civil society representatives a platform.
At 3 o’clock this afternoon, the Security Council will have a closed meeting on Myanmar, with no civil society briefers. That prevents the Council from hearing directly from those most affected. We therefore think it is important that Myanmar women themselves can voice their concerns and recommendations to the UN and its member states.
Let me now hand over to you, and let me once again express my sincere admiration and support for your courageous work.