Women in Displacement: Understanding the Impact of Military Coup on Social, Economic, and Security Needs in Mae Sot, Thailand

On 25 April 2023 by SPP

Author: Lin Lat Sue

Introduction:

The recent military coup in Myanmar has sparked a humanitarian crisis, as citizens flee the country to escape the brutal crackdown on those who opposed the takeover. The military has been carrying out arrests, torture, and killings of those who rebelled, as well as issuing warrants, sealing homes, and threatening and arresting family members of those who opposed them. The situation has continued to escalate, with increased executions and killings. As a result, many Myanmar citizens are being forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries, including through legal asylum as a refugee or illegal residence in neighboring countries like Thailand. This policy brief explores the challenges that political migrants are facing in Thailand, especially in Mae Sot , and outlines possible options to address these challenges. The objectives of this policy brief are twofold. First, the goal is to find out the social, economic and security situation of the political migrants women who have come to Mae Sot, Thailand as a result of the military coup in Myanmar. Second, this will be used to advocate to the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs (MOYWCA – NUG) who will work to connect with local and foreign organizations to provide emergency support to these women, both mentally and physically.

Findings: Social, Economic and Security Challenges

The findings of this study indicate that women in Mae Sot, Thailand are facing significant social, economic, and security challenges as a result of the military coup in Myanmar. These challenges are making it difficult for these women to live safe, stable, and healthy lives, and are putting their overall well-being at risk.

Security Challenges:

The military coup in Myanmar has resulted in a significant security concern for political migrants women who have fled to Mae Sot, Thailand. These women are living in fear of arrest and deportation, as they are residing in the country without proper documents. They are also facing difficulties in traveling and living, as their status makes them vulnerable to arrest and detention. Furthermore, the fear of arrest and deportation is compounded by the fact that many of these women have family members back in Myanmar who are at risk of arrest or harm. This constant fear and uncertainty has led to feelings of nervousness and panic when encountering police or other authorities, making it difficult for these women to feel safe and secure. Additionally, these women are facing financial difficulties due to their status, as they are unable to find formal employment and are often forced to rely on informal and exploitative work.

Financial Challenges:

The economic situation for these political migrants women is challenging. Due to their status, they are facing difficulties in finding formal employment, which has led to increased living costs and a lack of financial stability. Many of them are forced to work in informal and low-paying jobs, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Furthermore, they are also facing difficulties in accessing basic necessities such as food and housing, and are often living in overcrowded and inadequate conditions. The economic challenges faced by these women are further compounded by the fact that they are often scammed in domestic transactions, adding to their financial difficulties.

Access to healthcare:

The health situation for these women is also challenging, as they are facing difficulties in accessing emergency healthcare due to their status. They are also facing high travel costs to access maternal healthcare, which puts them at risk of health complications. In addition to this, language difficulties and financial costs are hindering their access to healthcare in clinics. Moreover, their status also makes it difficult for them to access specialized care for women’s health issues, which puts their overall health at risk. Despite the CDM doctors in Mae Sot providing consultation and treatment online, it is difficult for them to consult and treat women’s health issues and it is often insufficient.

Recommendations:

The following recommendations could be considered to address the challenges:

Providing humanitarian assistance: The government and the international community should focus on providing humanitarian assistance for women and children not only domestically but also in border areas. This includes providing basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care, as well as support for their mental and emotional well-being. This assistance should be provided through a coordinated effort between the government, international organizations, and civil society groups to ensure that it reaches those who need it most.

Connecting and organizing assistance from international organizations: Organizations should connect and organize assistance from international organizations in Myanmar, including the border region, to support women affected by the coup. This includes working with organizations that are already providing assistance in the region, as well as identifying new organizations that can provide support. By connecting these organizations and coordinating their efforts, it will be possible to provide more comprehensive and effective assistance to these women.

Coordinating the arrest and investigation of illegal asylum seekers: The government should coordinate the arrest and investigation of illegal asylum seekers and provide support for their legal residency. This includes working with other countries to ensure that these women are not sent back to Myanmar and are instead given the opportunity to apply for asylum in a safe and legal manner. Furthermore, the government should also provide support for these women in the form of legal aid and other resources to help them navigate the legal system.

Providing psychological and women’s health support: Providing psychological and women’s health support and education on how to access it should be a priority. This includes providing counseling and other mental health services, as well as providing education on how to access healthcare and other services. Additionally, the government and other organizations should work to ensure that these services are culturally appropriate and accessible to these women.

Educating people on not to violate the laws of the country of residence: Effort should be made to educate people on not to violate the laws of the country of residence. This includes providing information on the legal rights and responsibilities of these women, as well as educating them on how to navigate the legal system and access resources and services. Additionally, the government and other organizations should work to raise awareness of the challenges that these women are facing, and work to address any discrimination or other obstacles that they may be facing.

Overall, these recommendations aim to address the challenges faced by the political migrants women in Mae Sot, Thailand. By providing humanitarian assistance, connecting and organizing assistance from international organizations, coordinating the arrest and investigation of illegal asylum seekers, providing psychological and women’s health support, and educating people on not to violate the laws of the country of residence, it will be possible to improve the overall well-being and support the successful integration of these women into the Mae Sot community. It is important to note that these recommendations are not exhaustive, and further research and analysis should be conducted to identify additional ways to support these women and address the humanitarian crisis caused by the military coup in Myanmar. Additionally, it is important to recognize that these recommendations need to be implemented in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, in order to be most effective.

Our Thoughts