“Sometimes, I don’t want to live anymore. I determined to live on because of my child,” Ma Nge said quietly, glancing down at her two-year-old son in her arms. She was visibly angry, frustrated, and sad.

Ma Nge lives in Ywangan Township, southern Shan State, where she cares for her aging parents. She worked as a day laborer in Mi Aye’s orange and tea fields for 3 years. A year after starting the job, San Win, Mi Aye’s husband, began showing her dirty videos. Ma Nge felt afraid and insecure and hesitated to tell anyone.

As time went on, San Win exploited her silence and took advantage of the fact that she owed him an advance on her daily wages. He used this position and financial condition to abuse her.

“When I had been working for a year, San Win began showing me the dirty videos. That’s how he started to abuse me. Eventually, he raped me,” Ma Nge recounted.

She never expected to become pregnant as a result of the assault, and out of shame, she kept her suffering to herself. “At first, I didn’t tell anyone because I was ashamed. By the time, I was five months pregnant, people began to notice. At first, I thought I was just gaining weight or dealing with another health issue,” she said in her heavy voice with sadness.

It wasn’t until her mother became concerned and questioned her that the truth came out, sending the family into a state of panic.

“I went to tell his wife, Mi Aye, about my pregnancy with San Win, but they denied everything. I was so ashamed that I kept silent for a long time,” Ma Nge shared reluctantly.

After discovering her pregnancy at five months, Ma Nge turned to the local women’s organization in Ywangan Township, hoping for help. However, she got no support.

“I told the women’s organization, but no effective action was taken. Money seems to hold more value than justice. I had no money, and the law wasn’t on my side,” she said, tears in her eyes.

Ma Nge endured the social stigma, giving birth to her son amid community judgment and hurtful reactions. The injustice continued, with others blaming her, saying it was her behavior that led to her situation. Now, she and her son live under the weight of this trauma, often avoiding public spaces.

“My son was born without a father, and I carry the blame. I feel ashamed. People look at me as though I’m unworthy,” she said quietly.

Unfortunately, Ma Nge is not alone. Mi Maw, another woman with mental health challenges, faced a similar fate while working as a domestic helper. A 60-year-old man, her employer, raped her, and she became pregnant. Following this, the village forced her out, leaving her to live in a tent on the outskirts. Even there, she faced continued abuse.

“Despite her condition, she worked hard as a housekeeper. But after the assault, they pushed her out of the village. And even then, she was still vulnerable to abuse,” said Ma Nge, who has been close to Mi Maw.

The lack of legal protections and the cultural blame placed on women in these cases are prevalent.

“The people don’t blame the man; they blame her. We don’t know how to help her. I’m barely able to survive myself,” Ma Nge said.

Since the military coup in Myanmar, cases of rape have increased, with many victims silenced through threats. The shame and fear prevent them from coming forward. Legal cases often favor the wealthy, leaving perpetrators unpunished and survivors without justice. Women’s organizations, now largely displaced to liberated areas, are struggling to provide support under these challenging conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 3 women worldwide face physical or psychological violence, with similar experiences reported by women’s organizations in Myanmar. The Women’s League of Burma (WLB) reported that, from February 2021 to July 2023, sexual violence against women was particularly prevalent in Sagaing region, Shan State, Chin State, and Karen states.

“Women’s issues are always left behind, Until the importance of women’s rights is recognized, no practical action will be taken,” said Mrs. Lee of the Pao Youth Organization (PYO).

Despite these setbacks, women activists continue gathering information and providing online educational resources. Ms. Lee said she plans to pursue justice once peace is restored, hoping for a time when perpetrators are held accountable.

“I want these forced actions to end. I want our community to stop blaming and shaming women and to hold the men who commit these acts responsible,” said Ma Nge, her voice filled with determination.