Regime restrictions on sanitary pad transportation create shortages in Sittwe

By Admin 18 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

18 May 2026, Sittwe

Local women in Sittwe, a city still controlled by Myanmar’s military regime, are reportedly facing difficulties due to a shortage of sanitary pads resulting from restrictions and bans on their transportation and import.

Local women said that due to restrictions and bans on the transportation of women's sanitary pads and baby diapers, there is a shortage of these products in Sittwe, forcing them to use makeshift sanitary pads made of cloth.

"When we go to buy sanitary pads at shops, they just tell us that the goods haven't arrived for a long time. We couldn't find any even after searching the whole city. We have to buy lower-quality sanitary pads, which were originally given to internally displaced women, from resellers and use them. After that, we have to use washable sanitary pads. Women's monthly menstruation has now become like a challenge," a local woman in Sittwe said.

In addition, women said they have to buy expired small packs of sanitary pads containing eight pieces for K7,000 from grocery shops that still have remaining stock.

They said that due to the scarcity of sanitary pads, which are essential health products for women, they are being forced to buy expired sanitary pads at high prices, raising concerns about potential health risks.

"The sanitary pads resold by internally displaced persons are sometimes inconvenient to buy and are also uncomfortable to use in terms of quality. The ones available in the city are only the expired ones. If there is nothing else to use, we have to use expired products. The consequence is that we face problems like vaginal itching. We are also afraid of health hazards if we use them in the long term," another local woman in Sittwe said.

The medical community states that women who use expired sanitary pads can experience health problems such as vaginal itching, urinary tract infections, and fungal infections.

Locals said the regime's restrictions on transporting sanitary pads and baby diapers into Sittwe may be intended to prevent them from being used for military purposes.

"If we look at it from a military usage perspective, sanitary pads contain cotton, so they can absorb blood. They can be used to stop bleeding in emergencies. It is the same for baby diapers. Doing this kind of cutoff when there is no battle in Sittwe yet is a violation of human rights," a local man said.

Women's organizations stated that restricting and banning sanitary pads in this manner is a form of gender-based violence and also constitutes a human rights violation.

The regime has banned the import of medicines and essential consumer goods into Sittwe in Arakan State by air and sea since mid-2025.

In August 2025, the regime also banned basic goods, including women's sanitary pads, among commodities sent from Mandalay to upper Myanmar areas where resistance activities are strong.

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