Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 04 December 2024

The US Embassy in Yangon stated on 4 December that the number of women killed in the armed conflicts across Myanmar has doubled.

The number of women killed in the armed conflicts was doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. Currently, women are accounting for 40% of conflict-related deaths.

It also highlighted a 50% increase in the UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence.

The US Embassy in the former capital of Myanmar emphasized on protecting women & girls in the war zones and also ensuring their active participation in the peace process.

The statement further stressed that gender-based violence not only undermines the safety, dignity, and human rights of millions of individuals, but also impacts on the public health, economic stability, and security of nations.

The embassy also called for greater involvement of men in the efforts to end the violence against women & girls.

According to the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO), out of 553,696 internally displaced persons in Arakan State, 313,213 are women that make up 57% of the displaced population.

The HDCO report also noted that during the year-long military conflict in Arakan State, 218 women were killed, 614 were injured, and 105 were arrested.