Civil society groups urge ASEAN to take action against the military junta and recognize the role of women

August 4 Mizzima. The Myanmar and Philippine civil society groups have called on ASEAN to take effective action against the human rights abuses of the military junta and to recognize and support the leadership of Myanmar women in conflict. This joint statement was released today (August 4) after a regional forum on "The Situation of Women, Peace, Security, and Humanitarian Affairs in Myanmar" was held on August 3 in Manila, Philippines, in collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) and civil society organizations. Approximately 80 women's organizations from Myanmar and internationally, diplomats, and experts attended the forum and discussed the hardships faced by women and civilians due to the military junta's atrocities. "Myanmar women are not waiting for someone to come and save them. They are establishing courts, training judges, and assisting refugees under military rule in a situation where there is nothing. We ask the world to stand with Myanmar women," said Naw Kyan Pho, Chairperson of the Karen Women's Organization (KWO). The forum also pointed out that the military junta is using airstrikes, forced conscription, and humanitarian aid as weapons, and that ASEAN's five-point consensus and regional policies have failed in practice. Daw Khin U Ma, Chairperson of Progressive Voice, also urged the Philippine Foreign Minister and ASEAN Special Envoy to work towards delivering humanitarian assistance directly to local organizations based in border areas. Furthermore, forum participants called on ASEAN to take effective measures to hold the military junta accountable. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo