• Burmese
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
32 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Ethnic Issues

Rape Is Not Just a Crime; It Is a Weapon

Cherry Zahau by Cherry Zahau
July 29, 2014
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
Rape Is Not Just a Crime; It Is a Weapon

Women in Matupi Township

5.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On June 10, a soldier from the Burma Army’s Light Infantry Battalion 269 allegedly attacked and attempted to rape a 55-year-old woman near Razua, in Chin State’s Matupi Township. When about 600 women across two villages staged a demonstration calling for justice in this and similar cases, four of their leaders were charged under the Peaceful Assembly Law. In a normal democratic society, problems are discussed and resolved, but this government is not taking that path.

The legal definition of rape varies from one country to another depending on the formal laws or customary practices, and yet the constant composition of rape remains the same—the perpetrator and the victim, or survivor, as feminists would prefer.

Some feminists avoid using the term “victim” as it implies that women have no power over their own lives. Some of the worst impacts of rape are that survivors suffer from self-blame, powerlessness, self-rejection, anger, hatred and constant fear, let alone stereotyping and stigmatization by family members and the community.

RelatedPosts

The UWSA and the Peace Process

The UWSA and the Peace Process

August 10, 2016
6.9k
Burma’s Peace Process and the Swiss Bank Account

Burma’s Peace Process and the Swiss Bank Account

August 3, 2016
8.2k
The Lady

The Lady, Surrounded by the Generals and Their Families

July 23, 2016
8.2k

Guns or nuclear and chemical weapons can kill or handicap human beings. But rape can also destroy the physical and psychological welfare of women. We do not have cure like we do for diseases. Women live with fear and stigmatization for the rest of their lives. When men in uniforms exercise their power and commit such crimes, it does not cost a single bullet, it is a free weapon. Worse yet, it is an effective weapon because the government and the military institutions themselves can easily dismiss the allegations by demanding medical evidence of rape from the survivors. With little chance of such evidence being collected immediately after a rape, the survivor is unlikely to have the opportunity to seek fair judgment.

One needs to look at how power and rape relate to one another, and how a man can feel empowered to commit sexual assault against a stranger. Rape involves the power relationships between men and women, the poor and the rich, employers and employees, those in military uniforms with weapons and unarmed women. It also involves education and social status, and ethnicity. These socially structured norms and categories make women vulnerable and perpetrators take advantage. Because of these structures, society is more tolerant or even condones sexual violence against women, whereas these crimes should be considered serious crimes and dealt with using a zero tolerance policy.

Over the past 10 years, women’s organizations along the Thai-Burmese border have documented heart-breaking stories of women who have been raped by the Burmese military, the Tatmadaw, but the cases documented so far represent the tip of the iceberg. The latest documentation on rape cases was by the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), which highlighted about 100 alleged rapes that have taken place in ethnic regions since President Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government took power in 2011. The surprising fact is that no action has been taken against the perpetrators.

Cheery-Zahau300
Cheery Zahau is a human rights activist from Chin State. (Photo: Cheery Zahau)

This failure to investigate the cases; to reform the military’s regulations, if there are any, to be more effective; and to make the perpetrators accountable shows two things. First: Thein Sein has no power over the Tatmadaw, and second: the president is unable to bring legal punishment against perpetrators for serious crimes. Let’s not forget that for more than six decades, this same institution, the military, governed Burma, setting policies and directly implementing and administering those policies. If they had the political will to stop sexual crimes committed by these perpetrators, they could stop it now.

Until now, this crime continues throughout Burma’s ethnic states. Because incidents of rape do not randomly occur in one place, rather they occur across the seven ethnic states, the problem is widespread. Rape is also committed where there is a heavy Burmese army presence, and the same pattern continues—it is systematic. Some international legal experts would urge that this is neither systematic nor widespread because the rape incidents did not occur in one place at once and the incidents are not massive in number. Of course, the Burmese army knows what happens to perpetrators where mass rape incidents occur, such as in Rwanda. To me, the Tatmadaw is clever enough to learn that mass rape is too big to be ignored by the government or the international community.

After studying rape cases in Chin State or to Chin women since 2005, I constantly ask myself: “Why would a soldier rape a woman in those rural villages who are poor, and often older in age?” “What is it the perpetrators want, to satisfy their sexual desires?”

The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) has reported several rape cases in Chin State under the current government, including the recent case in Matupi. And yet, this government responded by arresting people who raise their concerns and dismissing the cases.

In previous cases, often it appears that the use of rape is a state-condoned policy. If Thein Sein’s government is sincere, there are immediate actions he can take. First, his government should recognize that rape is used against ethnic women by the Tatmadaw soldiers and that legal reform is needed to deal with rape cases, changing the approach of the legal process to look beyond medical evidence and consider the motive, circumstances, power relations and harm to the survivor. Second, courts need to be well-equipped for women when they report rape cases. Let us remember that no woman would want to be raped and report the assault they suffered. Third, during the current peace talks, ending rape against ethnic women should be on the agenda. Only when these actions are taken should we applaud Thein Sein’s presidency.

Cheery Zahau is a human rights activist from Chin State. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Contributors
Cherry Zahau

Cherry Zahau

Contributor

Similar Picks:

The Lady
Burma

The Lady, Surrounded by the Generals and Their Families

by Thuta
July 23, 2016
8.2k

For national reconciliation, Suu Kyi must build pragmatic, reconciliatory relations with former and current generals who once regarded her as...

Read moreDetails
Burma’s Sexist School Requirements Hurt Women—And Society
Specials

Burma’s Sexist School Requirements Hurt Women—And Society

by Khin Hnin Soe
September 7, 2014
11.5k

Universities seem to be systematically discouraging women from pursuing many leadership roles, and it’s a great loss for our country’s...

Read moreDetails
Posthumous Award Revives Memories of a Shan Prince
Culture

Posthumous Award Revives Memories of a Shan Prince

by Withaya Huanokk
October 8, 2015
6k

The late Sao Kya Seng, the last Shan prince of Hsipaw, is honored with a Distinguished Achievement Medal commending outstanding...

Read moreDetails
Burmese Neo-Nazi Movement Rising Against Muslims
Guest Column

Burmese Neo-Nazi Movement Rising Against Muslims

by Kosak Tuscangate
March 24, 2013
11k

The violence in Meikhtila comes at a time of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in Burma that bears a disturbing resemblance to...

Read moreDetails
Toward a More Perfect Union
Guest Column

Toward a More Perfect Union

by Wai Yan Hpone
February 12, 2015
7.6k

The legacy and continued dominance of the ethnic Bamar in Myanmar, and enduring chauvinism, are major obstacles to national reconciliation...

Read moreDetails
Guest Column

Spy Me, Spy You, Sa-Bai Thailand

by Kavi Chongkittavorn
November 4, 2013
10.8k

The revelation that the US uses its Asian embassies for spying has upset some, but intelligence cooperation works both ways.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Kerry to Woo Modi’s India

Kerry to Woo Modi’s India, But Quick Progress Unlikely

Philippines Welcomes Its 100 Millionth Citizen

Philippines Welcomes Its 100 Millionth Citizen

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Myanmar Regime Leader Rejects World Bank Economic Forecast as Inaccurate

Myanmar Regime Leader Rejects World Bank Economic Forecast as Inaccurate

5 days ago
1.5k
From Foreign Policy Drift to Diplomatic Freefall in Myanmar

From Foreign Policy Drift to Diplomatic Freefall in Myanmar

1 week ago
2.1k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

    Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TNLA Defies Myanmar Junta Push to Cede Shan Towns in China Talks  

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Timor-Leste Hits Back at Myanmar Junta’s Objection to ASEAN Membership

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar’s Civilian Govt Rebuffs Junta’s Appeal for ‘Cooperation’

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.