A Critical Moment for Burma

Myanmar faces a dire human rights and humanitarian crisis with atrocities escalating by the day under the military junta, especially for women and girls. Despite these challenges, women have emerged as leaders and symbols of the resistance, spearheading civil disobedience efforts across the country and continuing to advocate, at great risk to themselves, for a better future.
On the sidelines of the 2022 United Nations Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, this conversation focused on advancing international action in response to the crisis in Myanmar. Leading Burmese women and policymakers discussed the situation on the ground and recommended concrete actions to protect and advance human rights, justice, and accountability.
Opening Remarks by:
Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
Featuring:
Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Minister of Women, Youths and Children Affairs, National Unity Government (NUG)
Thinzar Shunlei, Youth Advocate and Democracy Activist, Sister to Sister
Nang Moet Moet, Joint Secretary-General, Karen-Women’s League of Burma
Wai Wai Nu, Founder and Director, Women’s Peace Network
With voices of grassroots women leaders across Myanmar and interventions by co-sponsors and UN Member States
Moderated by:
Amb. Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Hosted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security and the Permanent Missions of Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Czech Republic to the United Nations