Women, War, and Resistance: Responding to Myanmar Military Conscription Law by YinnLae Aung

Main Question

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 03:35:54 UTC

How are young women in Myanmar experiencing and responding to forced displacement as a result of the 2024 conscription law?

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 03:45:08 UTC

(U.N. Human Rights Office, 2024) stated that since the military coup happened, more than 5,000 people have been killed by the military, including more than 1,000 women. Around 3 million people have been displaced (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2024).

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 03:45:34 UTC

Myanmar’s 2024 Military Conscription Law forces young men and women into military service, placing women at heightened risk of gender-based violence, forced labor, and other abuses, while also deepening social oppression and military control, (Progressive Voice Myanmar; Burmese Women’s Union. 2024, June 19)

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 03:45:51 UTC

Women in Myanmar resist military control by using their bodies and traditional symbols in protests , challenging gender norms such as bras, sarongs and sanitary products as tools to defend the military, and authority through various forms of resistance. (Mra, K. K., & Hedström, J, 2024)

Who I am.

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 03:58:53 UTC

A young woman from Myanmar who has personally experienced military oppression, gender-based inequality, and forced displacement. I currently live along the Thai-Myanmar border and work closely with displaced women and youth. Like many of my research participants, I am part of the same broader community as many of my participants like young women who are resisting conscription and militarization.

My role

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:00:05 UTC

both as a listener and an observer, aiming to amplify their voices and lived experiences

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:02:20 UTC

I share similar experiences with my participants, which helps me build trust and connection. But I will stay aware of my own assumptions, ask open questions, and make sure each story is heard and respected to avoid bias.

Method(s) I Will Use

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:09:14 UTC

Qualitative method_ secondary data, semi-structured interviews, online/ in-person interviews

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:11:15 UTC

participants allow to share their personal stories, emotions, and struggles in their own words through interviews.

Participants

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:14:01 UTC

My research explores through interviews and case studies

Displaced to the Thai-Myanmar border
Internally displaced within Myanmar
Working in informal sectors or facing daily challenges

Collect the data

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:15:25 UTC

Request to get consent first to Record audio

Writing notes

Get Consent and Protect Participants

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:27:56 UTC

Clearly explain the purpose of the research and how their stories will be used
Make sure they know participation is voluntary, they can skip questions or stop anytime
Promise anonymity
Store all information safely and privately
Ask for oral or written consent, depending on what is safest for them

Why this topic matters

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:33:47 UTC

Me, as a young woman from Myanmar, I have lived through the 2021 military coup and cultural norms firsthand.
I had to pause my formal education and leave my home, just like many others.
My own experience of displacement, fear, and uncertainty deeply connects me to the participants I aim to study.

Responses and Experiences

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:39:08 UTC

Because of the conscription law, many young women are being forcibly displaced. Some have had to pause their education, and when they flee to Thailand, they face difficulties finding jobs, securing legal status, and dealing with mental health challenges. If they are forced to serve in the military, some say they would rather flee again, join armed resistance groups (PDFs), or, if they have no other choice, consider suicide.

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 04:55:23 UTC

This research helps us understand what young women in Myanmar are going through because of the 2024 conscription law. Many are forced to leave their homes and face dangers because of their gender and the military system. By listening to their stories, we learn not only about their struggles but also their strength and ways of fighting back.

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 05:00:33 UTC

Planning and Preparation– reviewing literature about conscription, displacement, and gender in Myanmar.
Choose Participants – Young displaced women affected by the conscription law.
Do Interviews – Use open-ended questions to hear real stories.
Get Consent – Explain the research clearly and keep identities safe.

yinnlaeaung — 2025-06-03 05:43:45 UTC

Myanmar people cross the Thaungyin River, which forms the border between Myanmar and Thailand.