Is Myanmar Junta Conscription Forcing Women, Kids To Flee? 5 Key Points

In April 2024, Myanmar's military junta enforced conscription to its troops to bolster them against armed groups challenging its power. Thousands of women and children have reportedly fled the country out of fear of forced recruitment, violence, and abuse. A United Nations report now states more than 50,000 people, including more than 1,000 women, have been killed by the military since the 2021 coup. Around 3 million people have been displaced from their homeland.

Military Coup 2021

A coup d'etat by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) began in Myanmar in February 2021, ousting the democratically elected State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi. Acting President Myint Swe declared an emergency and surrendered power to Defence Commander-in-Chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The coup started on the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was to swear in the members elected in the November 2020 election. The President and State Counsellor were detained, along with ministers, their deputies, and members of Parliament.

Crackdown On People Of Myanmar

Since the coup, the military has relentlessly cracked down on the population. Protests, civil disobedience movements, and resistance efforts have been met with brutal force. Reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings have surfaced, painting a grim picture of the human rights situation in the country. 

According to a March 2024 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council, at least 50,000 people, have been killed. This data comprises 8,000 civilians, out of which at least 570 were children. Moreover, over 26,200 individuals have been arrested, according to the latest data.

New Military Service Law

In February 2024, the junta announced a new military law, ensuing conscription to its troops in an attempt to strengthen them against armed groups that pose a challenge. This announcement was met with a wave of protests and international condemnation. However, the law came into force in April this year.

Women, Children, LGBTQ+ Individuals Worst Hit

The coup and the newly implemented law have particularly endangered women, children, and LGBTQ+ people acutely vulnerable to violence, and exploitation, according to Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, highlighting the gendered impact of conflicts.

The UN official urged the international community must step up to support minorities and children in the country by working with local civil society organisations on the delivery of humanitarian aid tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable and funding programmes for survivors of gender-targeted violence.

Minorities Fleeing Myanmar

Fearing forced recruitment and abuse, many women have fled their homeland with their children. Many people have risked their lives in dense forests and swam across rivers to cross the border for refuge in neighbouring countries. According to reports, they are paying about $280 to hire smugglers who could take them to Thailand.

Women are using dangerous channels to flee the country amid fears of conscription, putting them at high risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Conscription exemptions for married women also raise the risk of early and forced marriage for girls and women,” Tom Andrews said in the UN report.