The Myanmar junta killed 55 women and detained a further 43 women in the month of April, according to a Burmese Women's Union (BWU) report on 2 May.

Women were killed in six states and regions. The majority of those happened in the 11 April airstrike on Pazigyi Village in Kantbalu Township, when 45 women were killed.

The women were killed by the junta in various ways, including artillery fire into IDP camps, airstrikes and torture during interrogation, according to Ma Zu Zu, the BWU Joint Secretary.

She said: “Among the 55 deceased women, there were the women who were shot and killed when the military junta raided their houses.”

The 43 detained women were arrested in different areas. Many were arrested for posting condolences online for the victims of the Pazigyi Village massacre.

The conditions in prison are not good for women. “Women in prisons do not get enough healthcare. In addition, they do not get prisoners ’rights. They are prohibited from receiving gifts or visits from family members”, said Ma Zu Zu.

She also said that detained women were sexually exploited and abused both physically and verbally by junta personnel.

According to the Myanmar Women's Union, since the February 2021 coup until 28 April 2023, there have been 3,390 women detained and arrested. Of those, 819 have been sentenced and 513 have died.