The Women’s League of Burma (WLB) has urged the government to take action against those who are creating religious, ethnic, political, and military conflicts during the term of the civilian government, according to the statement released on March 8 to mark the International Women’s Day.
The WLB’s spokesperson Daw Tin Tin Nyo said the organization called on the government because ongoing acts have been increasing fear among the civilians and lack of rule of law has worsened the security of the people including the women due to ethnic and religious conflicts and propaganda.
“What we have been saying the whole time is the need to take effective action if one wants to actually eradicate any kind of killings or violence. Also, it needs to be fair and just. There would not be any security for the public including the women if [the criminals] continue to receive amnesty in every case and are free,” she told KIC News.
In the statement, the WLB also urged the international community to take action to punish the people who are creating instability across Myanmar and impose targeted sanctions and other sanctions against those that are involved in creating instability and are against the peace process and federal democracy.
The Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are still clashing in the northern Myanmar area – the Shan State and the Kachin State – and skirmishes are still breaking out frequently in ethnic areas where the EAOs have signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).
Myanmar political society has been criticizing the government for its failure to take effective action against underage rape, intentional killings, drugs, and land issues.
Women’s organizations, political groups, and ethnic women’s organizations from the border area held ceremonies and released statements respectively to mark the International Women’s Day under the theme to press for progress.
The Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) also issued a statement to urge the international community to stand with the women from Myanmar to put an end to the abuses by the Tatmadaw, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and all forms of violence used to keep women down.
While the First National Women’s Day was observed in New York, United State on February 28, 1909, the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference decided to observe the International Women’s Day on March 8. Women from around the world celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8 every year to honor the movement for women’s rights.
