Chaw Su last saw her husband in March when he was forcibly drafted to fight in Myanmar’s civil war. Four months later, she received the devastating news that he had been killed in action. “We were always struggling financially, but life was more bearable with him,” she laments. Now a 25-year-old widow with three young children, she is left to care for them alone.
In February, Myanmar’s military regime announced compulsory conscription for men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27. This decision has led to widespread unrest and conflict in the country, with up to 50,000 people killed since the coup last year.
Chaw Su’s husband was sent for training in July and was deployed to the frontline in Karen state. Tragically, he never returned, and she was informed of his death by a military officer. Despite promises of financial support, Chaw Su only received a small amount of money initially and has since struggled to make ends meet.
Many families are left in the dark about the whereabouts and well-being of their loved ones who have been conscripted. Soe Soe Aye, a widow in her 60s, has not heard from her son since he was drafted six months ago. She regrets letting him go and now relies on her daughter for support.
Kan Htoo Lwin, a 20-year-old conscript, escaped from his training and joined a resistance group to fight against the military junta. Many young people in Myanmar are taking similar measures to resist the conscription order and fight for their freedom.
Despite the hardships and challenges they face, people like Zue Zue and Min Min are determined to make a difference and bring an end to military dictatorship in Myanmar. However, the future remains uncertain for many who have fled the country and are struggling to survive in foreign lands. “No tengo otra opción más que encontrar trabajos de mano de obra manual”, dice. También afirma que se da prioridad a los nacionales tailandeses, cuyos derechos están protegidos, mientras que los dueños de negocios tailandeses suelen explotar a los migrantes que trabajan ilegalmente. “También he visto que ingenieros birmanos trabajan ilegalmente y solo cobran alrededor de 12,000 baht tailandeses ($355), similar al salario de los trabajadores manuales migrantes”, comenta. De vuelta en Myanmar, Chaw Su ahora trabaja en trabajos esporádicos en el pueblo, ganando apenas lo suficiente para alimentar a sus hijos. “Es difícil explicar a otras personas la lucha que estoy atravesando”, dice.