Myanmar's Military Expands Sanitary Pad Ban, Prices Triple on Black Market
Myanmar's military regime is significantly widening its prohibition on the distribution of sanitary pads and other menstrual products, according to local activists and human rights groups. The authorities claim these items are being utilised by resistance fighters to treat wounds and absorb sweat, a justification that medical experts have dismissed as baseless and misogynistic.
Civil War Context and 'Four Cuts' Strategy
The south-east Asian nation has been embroiled in a brutal civil war since 2021, when the military overthrew the democratically elected government. Since then, widespread violence, including artillery attacks, township burnings, and arbitrary arrests, has become commonplace. The ban on period products is believed to be part of a broader military strategy known as "four cuts," designed to deprive insurgent forces of essential supplies.
Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a director at the women's rights collective Sisters2Sisters, explained the military's reasoning. "The regime alleges that menstrual products are used by the People's Defence Force for medical purposes, such as treating injuries or supporting their feet in boots to absorb blood and sweat," she stated. There has been no official communication from the military government regarding this policy, but the blockade reportedly began in August in specific regions controlled by opposition forces.
Expanding Prohibition and Health Consequences
The prohibition has been expanded this year and is likely more extensive than many realise, partly due to cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. Transporting sanitary pads across key infrastructure, like the bridge connecting Sagaing with Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, is now completely forbidden.
This ban has forced women to resort to dangerous alternatives, such as rags, leaves, or newspaper, which significantly increase the risk of infections. Henriette Ceyrac, founder of the period education organisation Pan Ka Lay, highlighted the severe health implications. "It can cause urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections, and considerable discomfort and pain," she warned.
Skyrocketing Prices and Economic Impact
Alternatively, women are turning to the black market, where prices have tripled from 3,000 kyat (approximately £1) per pack to 9,000 kyat. This surge means a single pack now costs more than Myanmar's minimum daily wage of 7,800 kyat, placing an immense financial burden on already struggling families.
In a country where the healthcare system has largely collapsed, accessing medical treatment for related infections is extremely difficult. Thinzar Shunlei Yi noted that Sisters2Sisters frequently receives requests for antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections. The situation causes significant distress, with many women opting to stay indoors during their periods rather than participate in political or social activities.
Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Violations
Activists argue that this ban constitutes a form of gender-based violence and a clear human rights violation. Henriette Ceyrac suggested that restricting women's movement is likely a deliberate intention of the regime. "It makes sense that the military wants to limit women's mobility even further. This is essentially gender-based violence," she asserted.
Meredith Bunn, founder of the medical aid charity Skills for Humanity, condemned the policy, blaming "completely uneducated, misogynistic fools within the military." She emphasised that anyone with combat medicine experience knows sanitary pads are ineffective for treating gunshot wounds or lacerations, as they do not stay in place, absorb enough blood, or maintain cleanliness.
Humanitarian Crisis and Alternative Solutions
More than 3.5 million people have been displaced since 2021, seeking shelter in temporary camps. Bunn believes the ban is a tactical move to target female fighters, control civilian populations, and victimise those in displacement camps. Organisations on the ground are attempting to distribute reusable pads, but without access to clean washing water, even these can lead to health issues.
Alternative menstrual products like cups and tampons are rare in Myanmar, partly due to cultural stigmas. Ceyrac noted that women are often discouraged from seeking information about menstruation, which is considered shameful, and are expected to hide any evidence of it.
Local groups have alerted the United Nations to the situation, denouncing the ban on such a basic commodity as a severe human rights violation. The international community continues to monitor the escalating humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, as women face increasing health risks and economic hardship due to these restrictive policies.
