Experiences

Key Finding 5: Women victims are not able to access basic services, and need
specialized programs to deal with health, trauma, reproductive health, and aging.
Nearly half of all the women participants have experienced trauma and physical health challenges as a
result of conflict and violent oppression. Women former political prisoners reported trauma and health
conditions linked to torture and inhumane prison conditions, including stomach problems, back pain,
and menstrual difficulties. Women in ethnic areas talked about trauma and injuries sustained while
fleeing warfare, and stress and health problems linked to long hours of arduous work and poor
living conditions.
Despite the clear and urgent needs of victims, women’s access to health and basic services in
Myanmar is extremely poor or non-existent, especially in rural areas affected by ongoing conflict.
For many displaced women there is no health care. Many people die of common and treatable
diseases and health problems, such as snakebites and malaria, because of inaccessible or
unaffordable services. One Karen participant in the study passed away from cancer, in part due to
lack of access to proper treatment.
20
Out of the 29 women involved in
the research, none have received
assistance from official institutions or
organizations, although one family
received a small amount of financial
compensation from the military for
the death of their daughter. Eight
received some form of small material
or financial support from local
organizations or from the local ethnic
armed groups.
Cho Cho Aye
detained as a political prisoner
I was beaten with a stick, so now
I feel pain in my left thigh and
hip. Because of that I also have a
problem with my knee.