Domestic News Updates – March 09, 2025 Morning
๐๐ 1. The Sacrifices and Contributions of Women in the Spring Revolution Are Clearly Evident, Acting President Duwa Lashi La States in International Women's Day Message
March 8
Radio NUG
Not only in global history but also throughout Myanmar’s historical and political movements, women’s participation and relentless efforts have been fundamental reasons for the celebration of International Women’s Day, as highlighted in the message sent by the Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG), Duwa Lashi La.
The statement emphasized that the sacrifices made by women in the Spring Revolution are evident, as the brutal military junta has arrested and imprisoned thousands of women. From 2021 to 2025, a total of 5,952 women have been unjustly detained, with 2,329 already sentenced. Among them, 16 women have been sentenced to death, 58 women have received life imprisonment, and 1,965 women have lost their lives.
The National Unity Government has already adopted and implemented the Policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSHEA) and the Gender Equality Policy as part of its commitment to protecting women’s rights. In addition, the message urged the international community to provide effective support in safeguarding women from violence, ensuring gender equality, and enhancing women’s empowerment.
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๐๐ 2. NUG Pledges Full Protection for Women Against All Forms of Violence in Myanmar, Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than Affirms
March 8
Radio NUG
The National Unity Government (NUG) has pledged to fully protect women in Myanmar from all forms of violence using various measures, Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than affirmed in his message for International Women’s Day on March 8. He also expressed hopes that efforts for women’s rights and gender equality would continue collectively across the world.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.” The message paid tribute to the resilience of Myanmar’s women, who continue to endure oppression under the military junta while courageously resisting through various means.
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment to advancing women’s rights. Although progress has been made over the past three decades, gender-based violence, economic inequality, and underrepresentation of women in political leadership remain persistent global challenges.
The NUG reaffirmed its commitment to respecting and upholding women’s rights while working toward increasing women’s representation in politics through policy implementation.
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๐๐ 3. NUG’s Ministry of Defense Wishes for All Women to Attain True and Deserved Gender Equality on International Women’s Day
March 8
Radio NUG
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defense extended its best wishes for all women to achieve true and rightful gender equality.
The military coup in 2021 significantly impacted women from all walks of life across Myanmar. Since the coup, women have faced heightened discrimination, gender-based violence, and severe oppression at the hands of the junta, worsening the conditions they endured before.
The emergence of the Spring Revolution is seen as a movement aimed at breaking free from such oppression and building a new, just nation founded on fairness and equality.
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๐๐ 4. Call for Full Political Commitment to Implement Gender Equality Policy and Women, Peace, and Security Framework (2024-2027) by All Revolutionary Forces
March 8
Radio NUG
The National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) has issued a statement urging all revolutionary forces, including the National Unity Government (NUG), the NUCC itself, ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs), and other revolutionary groups, to fully commit politically and actively implement the Gender Equality Policy Statement and the Women, Peace, and Security Framework (2024-2027).
This joint call was issued by the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children Affairs and the Gender Policy Coordination Committee on March 8, International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day is a time to honor the achievements of women and girls while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. It serves as a moment for renewing commitments to gender equality and enhancing women’s empowerment through concrete actions.
Throughout Myanmar’s struggle against the military coup, women and girls have played a significant role in the resistance movement. They have bravely taken on revolutionary responsibilities despite facing life-threatening risks. The statement pays tribute to these women and girls and emphasizes the need to protect them from the challenges they encounter, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and barriers to leadership opportunities. It calls for greater efforts to eliminate gender inequalities and ensure women’s participation in leadership roles.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted by 189 governments in 1995 to advance women’s rights. While there has been considerable progress in empowering women and girls worldwide, the statement notes that gender-based violence, economic and educational disparities, employment inequalities, and political underrepresentation remain significant issues across all 12 priority areas identified in the platform.
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๐๐ 5. Myanmar Spring University Holds Its First Graduation Ceremony
March 8
Radio NUG
The first-ever graduation ceremony of Myanmar Spring University was held on March 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM to honor students who have successfully completed their university education as part of the pro-democracy movement. The university celebrated students who pursued higher education while actively resisting the military dictatorship.
The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of Education Dr. Zaw Wei Soe, Deputy Minister Dr. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, university rectors, professors, faculty members, graduates, and members of Myanmar Spring University.
The event followed traditional academic customs. Before the main ceremony, faculty members formally proposed the conferral of degrees for six different academic disciplines. The university rector then reviewed and approved the proposals in accordance with the institution’s academic policies.
The ceremony officially commenced with graduates entering the hall to the sound of the university’s ceremonial march, followed by the national anthem and an opening address from the university rector. The Minister of Education and senior faculty members delivered congratulatory speeches highlighting the graduates’ dedication to education amid the revolution.
Afterward, the rector administered the official graduation pledge, followed by the distribution of diplomas to the graduates. The newly conferred graduates were then granted permission to wear their respective academic robes, symbolizing the completion of their degrees.
The event concluded with a speech of gratitude from a student representative, followed by a closing address by the deputy rector, officially marking the end of Myanmar Spring University’s first graduation ceremony.
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๐๐ 6. Chin State Rejects Invitation to Join India, Affirms Commitment to Myanmar’s Federal Democracy
March 8
Radio NUG
Following the withdrawal of military junta forces from Chin State, an Indian official invited the Chin State government to consider closer integration with India. The proposal was made by K. Vanlalvena, a Member of India’s Upper House of Parliament representing Mizoram, during his visit to the Chin State Government Office in Myanmar on February 27. He met with representatives of the Chin Council, the Chin Government, and the Chin National Army during his trip.
However, the Chin Government and Chin Council firmly rejected the proposal. The Chief Minister of Chin State, U Pa Than, responded to the invitation in an interview with Myanmar media, stating:
"This is a complete misunderstanding. Our position is clear. We are one of the ethnic groups that founded Myanmar as a nation. We signed the Panglong Agreement alongside the Shan, Kachin, and Bamar peoples. Concerns that we would align with India simply because we have ethnic ties there are entirely unfounded. We see ourselves as one of the founding ethnic groups of Myanmar and value our country. This is merely political propaganda."
U Pa Than emphasized that Chin State’s political roadmap is clearly defined and that the Chin people seek a federal democratic system, not secession or confederation. He also reaffirmed that Myanmar and India are two sovereign nations, and while ethnic ties exist across the border, the Chin people are committed to remaining within Myanmar.
He further stated that political decisions should be made through proper political channels and that Chin State’s leadership has no intention of leaving Myanmar.
This report was compiled by Radio NUG correspondent Khur Shel.
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