Myanmar's military regime is widening its ban on the distribution of sanitary pads, claiming they are used by resistance fighters for first aid. Activists condemn the move as gender-based violence and a violation of human rights.
The ban, part of the military's 'four cuts' strategy to deprive insurgents of supplies, began in August in areas controlled by opposition forces. Transporting pads across the bridge linking Sagaing and Mandalay is completely prohibited. The ban has expanded this year and may be more widespread than believed due to the taboo around menstruation.
Medical experts refute the military's claim. Meredith Bunn, founder of Skills for Humanity, stated that sanitary pads are unsuitable for treating gunshot wounds, calling the ban the work of 'completely uneducated, misogynistic fools within the military.'
Women are resorting to unsafe alternatives like rags, leaves, or newspaper, leading to infections. Prices on the black market have tripled to 9,000 kyat per pack, while the minimum daily wage is 7,800 kyat. Sisters2Sisters, a women's rights collective, regularly receives requests for antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections.
Activists believe the ban aims to restrict women's movement and participation in political activities. Henriette Ceyrac of Pan Ka Lay called it 'basically gender-based violence.' Local groups have alerted the UN, calling the ban a human rights violation.
