JSM BULLETIN N°13 - MARCH 2005

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 8 MARCH, AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN BURMAN/MYANMAR

Burma human rights agencies, associated with the above event, have informed JSM that the Burmese military systematically uses tape as a weapon of war to intimidate and humiliate civilians. The rapes often involve extreme brutality and torture such as beating, mutilation and suffocation. Women are also kidnapped and forced to serve as sexual slaves for the military. On in four rapes documented in the Shan state ended in death while 61 percent of rapes were gang-rapes. An estimated 50 000 women are trafficked annually and as a result, they face one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. Of those trafficked into neighboring Thailand, 60 percent are under the age of 18.

According to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, "Although women historically played an important informal role in Burma’s economy, today they are virtually invisible in major corporate enterprises, diplomacy and politics. Women are effectively absent in the higher military ranks, which precludes them from economic benefits and privileges enjoyed by the armed forces." They have no representation at the national level today, and there are no women in the 39-member cabinet. They are consistently denied admission to universities where they have a significantly lower percentage rate than men.

Women have been at the forefront of the democracy movement in Burma led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

JSM solicits your concern for and support women in Burma. Please contact JSM at our e-mail address.

Ref: BR/CSW/JSM

5 March 2005