Women bear heavy toll in Myanmar junta attacks in 2025, says rights group

Mizzima

Nearly 800 women were killed and more than 800 injured in Myanmar last year as the military stepped up airstrikes and artillery attacks on civilian areas, according to a report released in January by the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU).

The women’s rights group recorded that at least 792 women were killed and 815 wounded nationwide in 2025 as a result of air attacks, shelling, landmines and other forms of violence linked to the Myanmar junta.

Airstrikes accounted for the vast majority of deaths, with 621 women killed in aerial bombardments. The second highest recorded number of deaths was 102 from artillery attacks. Another 39 were victims of extrajudicial killings. Other women were killed by landmines, crossfire, lack of access to medical care and conflict-related sexual violence.

Among the dead were 154 girls under the age of 18, as well as five pregnant women, the group reported. They warned that the true toll is likely higher due to limited access to conflict areas and reporting obstacles.

The deadliest single incident occurred on 18 January 2025, when a junta airstrike near Yan Chaung village in Rakhine State killed 21 women, according to the report.

Geographically, Sagaing Region recorded the highest number of women killed, with 217 deaths, followed by Mandalay Region (123) and Rakhine State (119). Shan State also saw a heavy toll, with 81 women killed.

The BWU said the attacks amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, calling on ASEAN and the international community to hold Myanmar’s military leadership accountable. They also called for the imposition of targeted sanctions and a block on the supply of arms and aviation fuel to the junta.

Myanmar’s military has denied targeting civilians, despite mounting evidence from rights groups and independent monitors.