Description:
"On June 19, 2008, the 15-member United Nations Security Council passed resolution 1820 and designated
the day as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This resolution strongly
condemns the usage of sexual violence during times of war and conflict, considering it a dangerous tactic
and strategy that undermines international peace and stability.
Mainly women and LGBTQI people fall victim to conflict-related sexual violence. However, some men and
young men are not exempt from that. Sexual violence is the result of power imbalance, gender inequality,
and the culture of impunity. The victims of sexual violence are both armed actors as well as many innocent
civilians.
Sexual violence in conflict is not an unavoidable by-product of wars and conflicts. It can be prevented
through specific strategies, such as plans, military orders, Code of Conduct, communications procedures,
and operation guidelines. Research demonstrates that conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) does not
occur in every war and conflict with the same magnitude and prevalence. By implementing effective
guidelines and operations with strong political will, it is possible to decrease and address sexual violence.
All warring parties involved in the conflict must uphold the international humanitarian law during armed
conflicts. This is also a pressing matter for Myanmar. CRSV should not be perceived as an inevitable part of
active armed conflicts. At this time, the National Unity Government and all armed actors must prohibit
and prevent it. To effectively support survivors, concerned stakeholders, local NGOs, and CSOs need
multisectoral assistance. International development partners must provide timely and adequate resources
in the manner that aligned to the local situations. This type of assistance would enable survivors to reclaim
their fundamental rights. All survivors have the human right to receive survivor-centered services, live a
life free from violence and threats, and access justice.
Civic space has been shrinking across the country since February 2021. When CRSV cases happen, those
who tirelessly work on them are civil society women's groups. On this day, we would like to take this
opportunity to honor these women human rights defenders, frontline workers and first responders, for
their important work to help the survivors, despite the danger and risk that could fall on them.
It is mandatory for the international justice mechanisms to hold Myanmar’s military, or Sit-Tat
accountable for systematic, widespread and pervasive sexual violence and gender-based crimes that they
have committed in armed conflicts for decades. Myanmar military and Myanmar Security Forces have
been designated in the UN list of parties that have committed widespread and systematic patterns of
sexual violence since 2018. It is also necessary to hold perpetrators of all kinds accountable for sexual
violence directly or indirectly linked to armed conflicts regardless of their kinship, political party
affiliation, ranks in an army, or socioeconomic strata. All perpetrators must be held accountable without
partiality to end impunity.
We must act urgently to impose immediate and severe punishments for sexual violence crime
perpetrators as we continue to build our path towards a Federal Democratic future. Enhancing response
mechanisms can be achieved through a survivor-centered approach and seeking guidance from women's
and human rights groups. A just and equal future can only be achieved when armed organizations and
women's groups collaborate. Sexual violence in conflict is not just a women's issue or a concern solely for
survivors; it is a Myanmar’s societal issue. Sexual violence during conflicts shatters mutual trust and
represents a misuse and abuse of power. To rebuild trust, a comprehensive societal approach, in
accordance with the international definitions and standards, should be adopted..."
Source/publisher:
Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar
Date of Publication:
2023-06-19
Date of entry:
2023-06-19
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Countries:
Myanmar
Language:
English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
201.04 KB
Resource Type:
text
Text quality:
- Good