A Balanced Approach A nuanced approach is necessary that prioritises the individual’s rights above intellectual discourse. While GBV encompasses the full spectrum of gendered violence, SBV remains crucial for recognising sex-specific harms inflicted upon women, particularly in military tactics. Future legal and policy frameworks must account for both perspectives, ensuring that Myanmar’s deeply patriarchal structures and sex-specific violence are not erased while acknowledging broader gendered oppression. Conclusion The military’s systemic use of sex-based violence in Myanmar constitutes a deliberate strategy to silence, subjugate, and erase women and girls from public and political life. From targeted killings and sexual violence to structural discrimination, these violations not only harm individual victims but also reinforce patriarchal and militarised oppression. The international community must take urgent action to hold perpetrators accountable, protect survivors, and address the deep-rooted inequalities that enable such atrocities. Legal frameworks, advocacy, and humanitarian efforts must recognise both sex-based and gender-based violence to ensure no victim is overlooked. Myanmar’s women’s rights movement requires sustained international support to combat impunity, amplify survivor voices, and promote systemic change. Recommendations • Demand independent investigations and accountability – Urge the UN and international bodies to strengthen independent mechanisms to document, investigate, and prosecute sex-based violence as crimes against humanity. • Ensure survivor protection and support – Advocate for safe reporting mechanisms, legal aid, trauma-informed care, and emergency relocation for survivors of sexual violence. • Apply sanctions targeting perpetrators – Press for targeted sanctions on military officials and institutions responsible for sex-based violence, restricting their access to international finance and travel. • Support women’s rights defenders – Strengthen protections and funding for women activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and their associations facing repression, displacement, and violence.