For the past three years, Myanmar has been torn apart by conflict as a result of the 2021 military coup, which reignited existing ethnic conflicts and sparked wide-spread civilian and armed resistance. The coup was itself enabled by decades of impunity for military abuses and atrocities against civilians, including widespread sexual and gender-based violence. 

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is increasingly dire. UN sources estimate that more than 2.6 million people are displaced inside the country, and the humanitarian response is grossly underfunded. Local groups, especially women-led organizations, are uniquely positioned to provide critical humanitarian assistance and cross-border aid to their communities, but many lack the direct and flexible funding to be able to do so. 

This meeting will be an opportunity for Member States and NGOs to hear directly from members of the Women’s League of Burma on how they can take action to protect and promote the rights of women and ethnic minorities in the context of the current crisis in Myanmar, as part of their commitments to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Briefers will provide a gender perspective as well as their analysis of political and humanitarian developments in the region and concrete recommendations for action by the international community.