Empowering Women: Leading Community Transformation and Building Resilience

In Kachin state, a region grappling with protracted conflict and recurring natural crises, women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, trafficking, early and forced marriage, and intimate partner violence. For many survivors and those at risk, access to safe spaces for healing, sharing, and rebuilding resilience is lifesaving. UNFPA, with the generous support of the Embassy of France, has been instrumental in providing this vital assistance through two Women and Girls Centers (WGCs) and a Safe House in Kachin, in collaboration with UN Women on project initiatives.

In June 2025, a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) training was conducted in Myitkyina, reaching displaced women and community members. Participants engaged in structured psychosocial activities, group dialogue, and peer-to-peer support, all designed to restore dignity, reduce stress, and strengthen solidarity among women.

A 30-year-old woman from Shin Than Chin Camp shared her experience: "Participating in the MHPSS session means so much healing to me, especially in this difficult situation, I am worried, sad and concerned.  It is very hard to find someone close to me when I am mentally struggling, but the session has helped me get what I need to feel better and calmer.

The sessions incorporated practical stress-management exercises and recreational activities, specifically designed to enhance a sense of resilience and emotional well-being. A participant from Myat Mauk Daw camp mentioned: "I came here with worries and concerns. The exercises helped me release stress and I can use the same exercises in my day-to-day life. I feel very thankful for being able to join this activity."

The women collectively emphasized the profound importance of peer support as a source of collective strength. One participant articulated this powerfully: "Relying on this group of women makes me feel I am part of something bigger, I have sisters with me that I can trust, we can help one another and feel better, together. Participating in the awareness session, I now realize that I am not the one to blame for violence. We are giving each other strength, and this is what will help us move forward."

Through these impactful initiatives, women are not only healing from distress but are also actively building solidarity, challenging stigma, and shaping community-based protection mechanisms. These activities empower women to take the lead as community leaders and decision-makers, driving the transformation of their communities toward greater safety, respect, and enduring resilience.

*This story was originally published on the UNFPA Myanmar website.