Crisis Under the Coup: Gender-Based Violence Against Myanmar Women Media Professionals

Since Myanmar’s 2021 coup, many women media professionals have relocated to Mae Sot and Chiang Mai—only to face new forms of gender-based violence, discrimination, and harassment. This study draws on focus group discussions and interviews with 56 participants to document the risks they face, how they cope, and what support they need.

Women reported widespread abuse, including identity theft, exclusion from reporting assignments, unwanted advances, sexual harassment during travel, and retaliation for rejecting male colleagues. Some were forced to quit after being targeted. LGBTQ participants and allies also shared key insights, noting that abusive behavior is often normalized or ignored.

Most women felt they had few options but silence. Participants called for clear reporting channels within media houses, donor-enforced accountability, mental health support, and targeted gender training. The findings underscore a need for real protections—not just policies—for women and LGBTQ journalists living in exile under crisis conditions.

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This study is part of the Myanmar Digital Research series published by Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) with support from International Development Research Centre and The SecDev Foundation.