Myanmar - Conflict re-erupted in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State in 2012, and since then close to 100,000 people have been displaced.  Recent reports show a worrying upward trend in violence against women in camps for displaced people in the Kachin and northern Shan State, along with trafficking for sexual and labour purposes.

To address this, IOM Myanmar, UNFPA and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) will hold a three-day training workshop from 28 to 30 January to help organizations involved in humanitarian response tackle these issues.

Kachin State NGOs, women’s networks and alliances, faith-based organizations and local foundations will be trained by IOM, UNFPA, and DRC trainers on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and counter-trafficking awareness. The event will focus on how to reach internally displaced people in the most remote, non-government controlled or conflict-affected areas, which currently receive little or no support from the international community. 

IOM Myanmar Chief of Mission Kieran Gorman-Best noted: “Gender-based violence is a serious, life-threatening protection issue which requires the attention and support of the international community. We are pleased to cooperate with so many local civil society and faith-based organizations to integrate human trafficking activities into their work.”

This message was reiterated by Janet Jackson, Myanmar Representative of UNFPA, who said: “This event provides an opportunity for local and international organizations, including UN agencies, to learn, exchange and find solutions collectively.”

The workshop is jointly organized by UNFPA, DRC and IOM, with the support from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. 

For more information, please contact

Kieran Gorman-Best

IOM Myanmar

Tel. +95 94317 1025

Email: kgormanbest@iom.int