By Sayar Ngaat / MPA
The Myanmar Women’s Union reported that up to 66 women were killed in March 2025 as a result of military junta airstrikes, amid widespread devastation following a powerful earthquake.
A female resistance fighter from Karenni State said that even as Myanmar faces natural disasters, the military has intensified airstrikes to spread fear among the public.
“We often see on social media that the military claims its attacks are because People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) are present. They say if there were no PDFs, they would not launch attacks. But in reality, they are creating fear and confusion to undermine the revolution. Increased airstrikes are causing more deaths among women and children,” she said.
According to Myanmar Women’s Union data, in March alone: 50 women were killed in airstrikes, 5 in heavy artillery attacks, 2 by landmines, 7 were murdered, 1 was burned to death, and 1 died as a result of sexual violence, bringing the total to 66 women killed nationwide.
The report also noted that 24 of the victims were girls under the age of 18. In addition, 88 women were injured: 49 from airstrikes, 23 from heavy artillery fire, 15 from landmines, and 1 from unprovoked assault.
A woman working with displaced communities said women in Myanmar are enduring severe physical and psychological trauma, and the number of casualties continues to rise.
“Currently, laws protecting women are very weak. There’s nowhere to report abuses. Meanwhile, the military is deliberately targeting civilians. Children and women are suffering immensely. Even the sound of a motorcycle triggers trauma, as they fear it signals a junta air raid,” she said.
Women in Sagaing Region — a key center of resistance since the 2021 military coup — are among the worst affected by the airstrikes.
A displaced woman from Depayin Township recalled, “We were bombed right before our eyes. We saw civilians die. Since then, I and other young women have developed trauma related to aircraft sounds. We are simply praying for the dictatorship to end.”
Following the powerful earthquakes near Sagaing and Mandalay around noon on March 28, the junta carried out three airstrikes within an hour and a half, targeting areas near Kan Gyi Village in Nawnghkio Township. The attack killed six female and one male soldier from the Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA).
The Myanmar Women’s Union also recorded 86 women killed in January and 66 in February, bringing the total death toll for the first two months of 2025 to 152 women.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of 1,511 women have been killed across Myanmar between the February 1, 2021 coup and April 22, 2025.
