At least 478 females were killed by Myanmar’s junta and 412 others were injured during 2024, according to the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU).
Sagaing Region reported the most female deaths last year with 109, followed by Shan State with 92 and Rakhine State with 83. Mandalay, Magwe and Bago regions also reported numerous female deaths.
The BWU said on Monday that it used reliable sources to compile its report but the actual death toll will have been significantly higher.
Junta airstrikes accounted for 257 female fatalities last year, followed by regime shelling, which killed 142.
On January 8, airstrikes on Kyauk Ni Maw village in Rakhine State killed at least 40 civilians, including children.
Other deaths were caused by shooting and landmines while six women were reported as victims of conflict-related sexual violence.
During 2023, 392 females were killed, including 130 deaths in airstrikes and 147 in shelling. Sagaing Region again recorded the highest number of female deaths, with 171.
Women nationwide have taken a leading role in the resistance movement against the regime and have been targeted with arbitrary arrest, killing, torture and sexual violence.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors junta killings and arrests, 1,378 females have been killed by regime troops and more than 5,800 have been arrested since the February 2021 coup.
