Burma: the Myaung Women Warriors, an armed resistance group composed exclusively of women
A group of women hold torches as they protest against the military coup in Rangoon, Myanmar, July 14, 2021. (Illustrative Image) REUTERS - STRINGER
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
It has now been two years since General Min Aung Hlaing overthrew the government of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
The majority of the territories of the country are still in civil war against the soldiers of the junta.
A few weeks ago, the Myaung Women Warriors, a 100% female armed resistance group, launched a new action against the junta.
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In Burma, if a semblance of daily life has resumed, the resistance against the junta continues.
Since the start of the civil war, 2,800 people have died and 13,000 civilians are currently behind bars.
In the Sagaing region, where the fighting is fierce, Amara and her colleagues from the
Myaung Women Warriors
have decided to organize demonstrations against the upcoming elections, in the territory they control, reports our correspondent in Yangon,
Juliette Verlin
.
“
As all the inhabitants hate the junta and what it represents, when they see a demonstration coming to their village, they join it to demonstrate together.
During our last demonstration in the area, we organized a rally, a kind of sit-down demonstration, with all the participants.
We managed to count almost 2,000 people.
»
The head of state said on Wednesday, the anniversary of the coup two years ago, that he "will
work to organize elections
", while the state of emergency is extended for six months.
►
To read also
: in Burma, two years after the coup, the junta extends the state of emergency by six months
But for Amara, the anti-election demonstrations are only the beginning: “
In addition to the demonstrations by the civilian population, the armed resistance groups continue to fight against the soldiers of the junta.
The political leaders of the resistance are still there and continue the fight, too, on their ground.
Under these conditions, I do not see how the junta will be able to organize an election.
»
For the people, elections or not, the focus is instead on the armed resistance, which has promised decisive victories in 2023.
►
Read also: Burma has regressed in terms of rights since the coup, says the UN
Rape, a weapon of war
Since the military putsch of February 1, 2021, inside the country, there have been more than a million displaced people.
And many women involved in the resistance movement are victims of rape, according to Nang Moët Moët, secretary general of the Burmese Women's League.
“
Women, especially those from ethnic minorities and those living in conflict zones, face many challenges.
We have known military juntas in the past, but this one particularly targets and attacks women.
The military commit rape and use rape as a weapon of war, including gang rape.
Many children, sometimes younger than ten, are also victims of rape.
There are also many assassinations, but women's greatest fear remains sexual violence, which has taken on significant proportions since the military putsch.
Women are raped, arrested, tortured and sometimes killed for their involvement in this revolution and this movement for democracy.
»
The Burmese Women's League calls on the international community to act against the junta, to transfer the culprits to international justice: “
They must answer for their war crimes and their genocidal acts.
»
►
To read also: Burma: the impossible democracy
(and with agencies)
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Burma
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Womens rights