The Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative commemorates International Women’s Day

Justice and protection for Rohingya women and girls – A must

On March 8, we mark International Women’s Day. Today, people around the world are celebrating how much women have accomplished and are raising awareness about what still needs to be done to achieve gender equality.

It is also a day to call on men and boys to actively engage their support in the advancement of women and girls.

Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative (CRDI) is proud to support International Women’s Day.

Rape and abuse against women and girls by the Myanmar security forces are not a new phenomenon. For 20 years, there have been reports of the military using rape and sexual assault in its armed conflict against ethnic minorities in states including Rakhine, Kachin, Karen and Shan. However, we, the Rohingya communities, either in Canada, Burma, Bangladesh or elsewhere, have all endured and resisted adversity and atrocities that most people cannot imagine. Perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Today, we would like to stand beside the women and girls who faced horrific accounts of rape and abuses and honour those who are instrumental in bringing the genocide and humanitarian crisis to the attention of politicians, lawmakers, and the international community.

Sincerely,

The Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative