Introduction

September is the month of International Peace Day, established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. This day is observed on 21 September worldwide including Myanmar. While September marks the International Day of Peace in Myanmar the current conflict poses a significant risk to women’s peace and security. The theme for the 2024 Peace Day is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” It is important for everyone to involved in achieving lasting peace.1 However, the condition of women peace and security is under threats in the context of Myanmar due to the military terrorist attempted the coup. Since 2021, the people of Myanmar have been struggling with severe human rights violations at the hands of the military. The people of Myanmar are vehemently opposing the military attempted coup through various non-violent means and taking up arms. However, during more than three years of resistance against the attempted military coup, the situation concerning women’s peace and security in Myanmar has deteriorated. Women are being killed as a result of the military’s airstrikes, artillery shelling, massacres, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and rape, including gang-rape, of women and girls. During these three months, the armed conflict between the military junta and ethnic resistance organizations (EROs) and People Defense Forces (PDFs) has escalated across the country, especially during the second episode of the 1027 Operation in Northern Shan state. The military junta has lost strategic bases, posts, and cities, including Lashio, the capital city of Northern Shan State, where the military’s Northeastern Command is based. At the same time, the military junta continues to target civilians and blatantly commit grave human rights violations such as artillery shelling and aerial bombardment, arbitrary arrest, killing, and sexual violence. The military junta continues its forced recruitment under the illegal conscription law, including of women and girls. The security of Women Human Rights Defenders, including women political prisoners, is getting worse. Moreover, the economic crisis negatively impacted women’s lives, particularly in grassroots communities. Women and girls are under the threat of sexual violence, such as rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, and abuse. However, there are no existing protection and accountable mechanisms for the survivors, therefore allowing perpetrators to enjoy complete impunity.

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