Examining the vulnerability of persons with disabilities in Myanmar pre and post-COVID-19 and military coup

Abstract

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals include persons with disabilities in various elements related to education, employment, equality, and accessibility of human settlements. As this group constitutes a significant share of the population in Myanmar, the government recognises the importance of promoting their rights and ensuring their inclusion in the country’s development agenda. However, they often encounter social and institutional exclusions, including restricted access to basic social protection services. The COVID-19 pandemic and military coup in 2021 have further exacerbated existing precarious situations with minimal investment in welfare improvement. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and military coup on the well-being and social security of persons with disabilities in Myanmar. By analysing prevailing policy documents, our research provides recommendations for enhancing policies for persons with disabilities, particularly during periods of humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and other countries.

Keywords:

• Myanmar
• person with disabilities
• vulnerability
• COVID-19
• social protection
• healthcare

Persons with disabilities in pre 2C era – COVID-19 and military coup – sufferings and actions

An estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, accounting for 16% of the global population (WHO 2023). They struggle with restricted access to education, employment, healthcare, opportunities for personal growth, and other fundamental services (Cain 2016). In addition, persons with disabilities in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to poverty, social isolation, and prejudice, and they frequently encounter obstacles in receiving humanitarian assistance (World Bank 2023).

As of 2019, it was estimated that approximately 5.9 million individuals in Myanmar, representing 13% of the population, were living with disabilities (MIMU 2021). This figure is likely to rise due to the ongoing civil war, the growing occurrence of landmine explosions, and the increasing prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as potential further constraints on the already limited healthcare infrastructure following the COVID-19 pandemic and military coup in 2021.

Moreover, persons with disabilities experience difficulties in accessing healthcare, lower levels of education, and higher rates of poverty than individuals without disabilities. In particular, persons with disabilities living in remote areas outside Yangon City experience more discriminatory treatment and restricted access to crucial services, such as healthcare, education, social protection programs, and employment opportunities (Fernando et al. 2023). In fact, 77% of people with disabilities residing in rural areas face these challenges (HelpAge International 2018). A substantial portion of them, surpassing three-quarters, were unable to obtain crucial public information comprising event notifications, disaster alerts, and health-related messages. Furthermore, less than a quarter of the population was aware of the government-supported services and resources available for persons with disabilities (The Irrawaddy 2012).

The findings of a comprehensive national survey in 2013 from Myanmar indicated that approximately 50% of the population with disabilities had never received formal education, while the proportion of high school graduates with disabilities was only 2% (The Irrawaddy 2012) The primary barriers for them in accessing the education system in Myanmar are the lack of disability-friendly infrastructure, empathetic and qualified teachers, and inclusive teaching methods (MIMU 2021). According to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (2017), only 29% of males and 15% of females with disabilities are employed. Moreover, these groups often face stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination, as noted by the UNFPA (2023).

After the democratic reforms in Myanmar in 2011, the government made a substantial pledge to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by approving the National Social Protection Strategic Plan (NSPSP) in December 2014, with the backing of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The NSPSP aims to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 and mitigate economic and social vulnerabilities by promoting access to essential services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities (Republic of the Union of Myanmar 2014). The Myanmar government also enacted the Convention in 2015, following the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2011.

The National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was established in 2017 to promote and protect the rights of these individuals. In line with this commitment, the Ministry of Social Welfare has also commenced awareness initiatives to inform individuals of their rights during emergencies and has ensured their participation in political and public affairs (OHCHR 2019). In 2019, a national strategy for persons with disabilities was formulated in Myanmar to ensure access to six key sectors by December 2023: healthcare, education, employment, social welfare, and assistance during emergencies for all person with disabilities (Xinhua 2019). Nevertheless, investment in social protection programs remains insufficient for people with disabilities (Schjødt 2019).

Post 2C era – COVID-19 and military coup

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent humanitarian crisis resulting from the military coup in 2021 have impeded the implementation of existing policies aimed at improving social welfare and the basic rights of persons with disabilities. The current political and economic instability since 2021, coupled with the devastating impact of COVID-19, has profoundly crushed the employment landscape, human rights, and well-being of all citizens in Myanmar. This situation has led to extensive job losses throughout the country, particularly affecting the group of persons with disabilities who already face substantial barriers to accessing employment and fundamental rights. Furthermore, this resulted in significant mental and physical impact for persons with disabilities, including societal pressures and a perceived lack of value and inclusion, even leading some to consider suicide (Burma News International 2022).

The current political turmoil has ceased progress in the implementation of policies and activities aimed at persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of more than 1.9 million individuals, exacerbated by military human rights violations and the targeting of civilians’ homes as of September 2023 (UNICEF 2023). While the availability of data on the exact number of displaced among persons with disabilities is limited, this group faces an enormous challenge in evading human rights violations perpetrated by the military (Frontier 2022). Specifically, women and children with disabilities are at risk of being sexually harassed by the miliary forces (Khai 2023). It has been documented that during a military operation in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, a disabled woman was unable to escape and was subsequently subjected to sexual assault (Myanmar Now 2022). However, the number of such incidents in Myanmar has remained unknown.

Policy recommendations

Persons with disabilities are among the major victims of COVID-19 and military coups. The Myanmar civilian government prioritised social protection as a developmental objective, particularly regarding their inclusion, between 2011 and 2020. Unfortunately, the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent political upheaval casued by the military coup has severely hindered the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategic Plan, further compounding their vulnerability, including sexual harassment and other forms of violence. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to give due consideration to the recommendations made to ensure comprehensive support and safeguarding this group amid humanitarian distress and beyond.

First, the Myanmar military and all parties involved in conflicts must take measures to ensure all human rights and their fundamental freedoms, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) adopted on 13 December 2006. They must prevent sexual abuse by this group and ensure access to healthcare, medicine, and food for these individuals, along with safeguarding them from violence and discrimination.

Second, irrespective of their political ideology, governments in Myanmar must invest in social protection policies and programs that are inclusive, adaptive, capable of responding to shocks, and that benefit all individuals.

Third, the government, donors, and civil society actors must cooperate and adopt a person-centred approach that considers their voices and includes them in policy planning and policy-making processes.

Finally, the government must ensure equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and other essential services and must prioritise improving accessibility to participate in society and exercise their human rights.

Conclusion

Persons with disabilities encounter more difficulties in obtaining healthcare and social services and are at a higher risk of violence during humanitarian crises and any sort of emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Hillgrove et al. 2021; Morrison et al. 2023). They encounter various obstacles in accessing healthcare services, including barriers to obtaining information about, and access to, sexual and reproductive health (Tanabe et al. 2015). Moreover, there is a dearth of empirical studies and data on the condition of this group in Myanmar, particularly regarding the extent to which they were subjected to human rights violations by the military following the coup. Therefore, researching these group conditions in Myanmar is crucial for understanding the challenges they face and for developing effective policies and programs to address their needs during emergencies. The outcomes of our analysis underscore the importance of conducting research on this group, which can lead to the formulation of more effective humanitarian interventions during crises and beyond while also advocating for the rights and integration of this group in Myanmar’s sustainable development initiatives.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

No specific funding was received for the study.