The junta began registering women for conscription in Taunggyi City in southern Shan State for the first time in January 2025.

The conscription law mandates the conscription of both men and women, but since its activation in February 2024 only men have been conscripted during the first nine rounds of conscription.

A register of potential female conscripts aged from 18 to 35 from Hparmun Village in Taunggyi Township recently surfaced. It has caused great concern amongst those named in the register and their parents.

A mother of one of the women whose name was on the register said to SHAN: “Of course, we’re very worried. What if our daughter is actually drafted into the military? This whole registration process is deeply concerning for us. If possible, we think it’s best for potential candidates to avoid it before their names even get on the list.”

Having heard reports that many of the conscripted men sent to the frontlines have died she said that she prays her daughter does not get conscripted.

A 20-year-old woman living in Taunggyi City explained how the news of the junta’s conscription of women had upset her.

She said: “When I first heard the news, I felt like I wanted to die. I was deeply depressed. It’s a tough situation to live under the junta’s control, having to do whatever it says. I also heard that conscription could last five years, and that made me even sadder. I could end up spending half of my youth in the military instead of pursuing my studies.”

Parents in Taunggyi City believe that the junta will increasingly target women for conscription as the pool of young men available for conscription continues to decrease.
Young people in Taunggyi are also at risk of abduction by junta soldiers in civilian clothes who are roaming the city, according to residents.

On 27 January 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested by soldiers dressed in civilian clothes at his home near the Meethwaytan crossroads on Taunggyi City’s Western Ring Road. His parents later paid for his release, according to a source close to the matter.

He said to SHAN: “He was taken by plainclothes soldiers in broad daylight. Their real intention was to extort money. The man’s parents paid 2 million MMK for his release. The situation in Taunggyi is unsafe, both day and night.”

Such incidents, along with the registration of women for conscription, have prompted the parents of young adults in Taunggyi City to warn their children to remain vigilant whilst travelling; avoid going out alone at night; and not to travel far alone.