‘Field of Sorrows’ delves into gender violence in Myanmar’s conflict zones

Women’s League of Burma (WLB) has launched the documentary “Field of Sorrows,” followed by a panel discussion titled “Fighting for justice in a broken system: The struggle of Women in a conflict zone” on 31 July 2026.,It amplifies the long-silenced voices and lived experiences of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Burma. This aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges survivors continue to face and seeks to highlight the urgent need to uphold human rights, bring justice and accountability, and strengthen survivor-centred responses to conflict-related sexual violence.,For more than seven decades, the military junta has used sexual violence as a weapon of war. WLB has documented that over the past five years, after the coup, cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) have surged to more than 963 reported incidents with no justice and accountability.,Given the threat, pervasive fear, victim-blaming, stigma, and barriers to reporting, the actual number of cases is believed to be significantly higher.,“Having laws, policies, or institutional frameworks alone is not enough to end violence. We must stand in solidarity with survivors and provide them with psychosocial support and rehabilitation services. Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is not an inevitable consequence of war; it is a human rights violation that must be addressed through accountability and justice. We must center survivors’ voices and end impunity,” says Maw Pray Myar-Chairperson- Karenni Women’s Organization.,“Both before and after the 2021 military coup, the military junta had deliberately used sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon of war. These violations continue to this day. There are still significant shortcomings in addressing conflict-related sexual violence. There is a lack of transparency. Survivors who come forward to report these crimes often face threats, and justice remains far out of reach,” says Naw Khin San Htwe, Policy Board Member of the Women’s League of Burma.,Even during civil war across Burma, perpetrators must not be granted impunity, and political instability must never be used as a justification for allowing the perpetrators to escape accountability.,WLB reaffirms to pursuing transitional justice and demanding full accountability for the victims and survivors of any kind of sexual violence in conflict-affected areas. We believe that justice must extend beyond documentation and transitional justice must include reparations, truth-telling, and holding perpetrators accountable through national and international mechanisms.,Therefore, we urge the Revolutionary Armed Groups, Federal Unit Authorities, and International Communities to take urgent action:,1) End Impunity by ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence.,2) Recognize the military’s illegitimacy and impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations and sexual, gender-based violence.,3) Ensure survivor-centred justice by providing accessible, trauma-informed, and inclusive accountability mechanisms.,4) Support local, women-led organizations with sustained funding, protection, and meaningful participation in the justice system.,The post ‘Field of Sorrows’ delves into gender violence in Myanmar’s conflict zones appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.