Purpose

This document provides an overview of gender-based violence (GBV) in Myanmar. It looks at progress in GBV programming and coordination and provides recommendations for action against GBV.

Overview

Gender-based violence has been widespread in Myanmar even prior to the conflicts in Rakhine and Kachin. There is however almost no data collected of pre-conflict levels of GBV in Myanmar to establish a baseline. Despite the reports of GBV during the conflicts in Rakhine and Kachin, there are very few actual cases of survivors reporting to authorities in either of those states, or in Myanmar as a whole, due in large part to the shortage of services available, and fears of reprisals.

To date, gender-based violence (GBV) programming has been extremely limited, implemented by agencies with limited scope and with minimal work done on actual response. However, with dedicated funding, significant progress has been made in the field. Dedicated GBV Coordinators have been based in Yangon, Sittwe, and Myitkyina to lead the GBV field-based working groups, provide technical guidance and assistance to service providers, to identify geographical and programmatic gaps, and to ensure the implementation of promising practice and activities that are consistent with international standards.

Recommendations for action include: increase provision of survivor-centred, life-saving health and emotional support response services to survivors of sexual assault; target prevention activities to address the acute and immediate risks faced by women and girls; promote safe and ethical collection and sharing of data and information; work with police and service providers to ensure survivors have faster access to services.

Usage: Policy development

Audiences: National Society leadership, Technical staff

Reference: Global Protection Cluster (2014). Myanmar Gender-based Violence (GBV). Donor Briefing (pp. 1-2).