How outdated laws and police inaction fail rape victims in Myanmar
- Many in Myanmar still view domestic abuse as a normal part of marriage that women must endure, says activist Hla Hla Yee
- Violence against girls is a ‘silent emergency’ in the country, where victims feel there is no point speaking out due to police inaction and weak laws
“Domestic abuse in Myanmar is regarded as a family matter and even if it is reported, the police fail to take action,” she explains, adding that many still view it as a normal part of marriage that women must endure.
The UN has warned violence against women and girls is a “silent emergency” in the country, with incidents spanning groping on public transport to trafficking, and has called for a zero-tolerance approach in communities, police, and the justice system.
Analysis by the Demographic and Health Survey suggested at least one-fifth of women were abused by a partner in 2016.
According to government statistics, there were 1,405 rape cases in 2017, up from 1,110 the year before – around two thirds committed against children.
But Hla Hla Yee says these figures are just the tip of the iceberg in the country of 54 million.
