Recent research shows that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is one of the leading problems impacting communities across Myanmar. Women in particular face significant and widespread levels of SGBV, with both formal and informal systems failing to provide satisfactory remedies. Inadequate legal protections, combined with pervasive cultural and social stigma, low public legal awareness, and deep mistrust in the formal justice system, pose a daunting range of barriers to accessing justice and other services such as legal, medical and psycho-social support.
In response to these needs, IDLO will expand on its access to justice and legal empowerment work in Myanmar in partnership with the MyJustice program, funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council in Myanmar. Through the project, IDLO will work to strengthen women’s and girls’ awareness of their rights around SGBV and improve accessibility to services.
Photo: Paul Arps