16-day campaign against gender violence marked in AA-held Areas

By Admin 01 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

1 December 2025, Mrauk-U

Local civil society organizations in Arakan State’s Arakan Army (AA)-controlled areas are marking the global 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually from November 25 to December 10.

“This movement aims to raise awareness and reduce the violence and oppression that women face during the war, and to build a better society without discrimination in Arakan State,” said a campaign leader.

Ethnic communities including Arakanese, Muslims and Chin are taking part in the activities.

Women Generations said on its social media platforms that the purpose of the campaign is to “raise awareness and mobilize to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.”

Women in Arakan State continue to face sexual violence, as well as life-threatening attacks carried out by the Myanmar military, including airstrikes, artillery shelling and drone strikes amid ongoing conflict.

“Women experience violence and harassment even in normal circumstances. It's even worse during this war. Many don’t know they are being subjected to violence and human rights violations. Because they don’t know, they don’t report it. Arakan State-based organizations should do more to raise awareness,” said a women’s rights activist in Myebon.

Activists say domestic violence is also rising as families struggle with soaring prices, job shortages and declining incomes linked to the conflict.

“Right now, families are in crisis. Jobs are scarce, and when it becomes difficult to make ends meet, some men vent their frustration by beating children and women, physically and emotionally abusing them,” said a local woman from Kyauktaw.

Internally displaced people say many women in displacement camps are facing increased sexual violence and other security threats.

Women’s groups report that gender inequalities in Myanmar have deepened since the coup, with conflict-related sexual violence, forced labour and digital abuse on the rise, and women facing displacement, detention and intimidation.

A woman was killed by an intimate partner every 10 minutes worldwide in 2024, according to a report released on November 24 by UN Women and UNODC to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.