Nearly 800 women killed by junta in one year, says BWU

The Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) has called for an immediate end to the junta’s human rights abuses after nearly 800 women were killed across Myanmar in 2025.

The BWU urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the international community to step up efforts to halt the widespread violence, noting that a total of 792 women lost their lives amid the junta’s violent oppression and ongoing fighting throughout the war-torn nation.

“The junta is trying to gain legitimacy while committing violence. We want to make it clear that if the international community works with the junta, if it talks to the coup regime, it’s just encouraging more violence. That’s why we’re calling on the international community to stop engaging with the junta completely,” said Ma Yin Myo Hlaing, BWU’s joint secretary-general 2.

According to the BWU’s 2025 annual report, released on January 15, 792 women including 154 girls under 18 and 5 pregnant women were killed, while 815 others were injured over the course of the year.

Airstrikes by the junta were the leading cause of death, claiming 621 women. Another 102 were killed by artillery bombardments, 39 through extrajudicial killings, and the rest due to landmines, being burned to death, sexual violence-related murders, and lack of medical care in prison.

Sagaing Region reported the highest number of deaths, with 217 women killed, followed by Mandalay Region with 123 and Arakan (Rakhine) State with 119. Shan and Karenni states, as well as Magway and Bago regions, also saw significant casualties.

Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW) has similarly condemned the junta’s airstrikes targeting residential and civilian areas.

“The junta has been carrying out airstrikes that deliberately hit civilian areas and businesses. These attacks have caused deaths, including children. We urge the international community to take action against the junta for these human rights abuses and to stand with the people of Myanmar,” said KHRW spokesperson Ko Jacob.

Women across the country continue to face daily threats to their lives as the junta openly commits war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In response, the BWU called on the international community to impose effective sanctions and embargoes to cut off weapons and aviation fuel to the junta, and to pressure the military regime to halt its atrocities against civilians.