The Women’s League of Burma (WLB), an umbrella organization representing 12 ethnic women’s groups across Myanmar, premiered a documentary film titled “Field of Sorrows” alongside a panel discussion on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) at Chiang Mai University on July 31.
Produced by Lavender Productions, the film examines the systemic weaponization of sexual violence since the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the culture of impunity surrounding armed perpetrators, and the severe risks faced by survivors seeking accountability.
Systemic impunity and director testimony
The documentary captures the emotional and systemic barriers confronting survivors within Myanmar’s legal and local administrative frameworks.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the film’s director, operating under the pseudonym Lavender, described the personal toll of documenting these structural failures:
“Watching women face systemic injustice, where local authorities and even judicial figures protect the male perpetrators instead of the female victims, right in front of my eyes was heartbreaking. I had to step away and cry while filming. It takes a long time to recover from that emotional toll.”
Worsening atrocities since the 2021 coup
Panelists at the premiere emphasized that while sexual violence has been documented in Myanmar’s conflict zones for decades, the frequency and severity of CRSV have escalated dramatically since the military seized power in February 2021.
Maw Pray Myar, chairperson of the Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO) and an advisor to WLB, urged international actors to move beyond statements of concern and enforce concrete legal mechanisms:
- Escalating Patterns: “CRSV has existed in Myanmar for many years, but the situation has reached a much worse stage after the 2021 coup,” Maw Pray Myar stated.
- Evidence for Future Accountability: “We systematically documented this on video so that when a period of political transition arrives, these can serve as evidence for survivors to seek justice, and to ensure perpetrators face accountability on the international stage,” she added.
- Retaliation and Legal Gaps: Maw Pray Myar noted that reporting crimes carries extreme security risks, as armed perpetrators frequently respond with life-threatening retaliation. The complete absence of domestic legal frameworks protecting women and children during wartime makes direct international intervention vital.
Safety measures and strategic advocacy
Because speaking out carries severe risks of retaliation from regime and resistance forces, the production team deployed extensive security protocols to protect all participants. Survivors’ voices were digitally altered, faces were heavily obscured, and many interviews were filmed exclusively from behind.
Documentary Production & Safety Overview
├── Title: "Field of Sorrows" (Lavender Productions)
├── Organizer: Women's League of Burma (WLB) & KNWO
├── Safety Protocols: Altered audio, obscured faces, filmed from behind
└── Primary Objective: Closed-door advocacy with diplomats, donors, & international bodies
WLB confirmed that “Field of Sorrows” is not intended for public broadcast. Instead, the film will be used strictly as a targeted advocacy tool in closed sessions with regional diplomats, international decision-makers, human rights tribunals, and donor organizations to drive policy changes and support justice mechanisms.
“Despite the broken system and the lack of justice, these women bravely shared their stories,” director Lavender added. “Their willingness to speak out is invaluable. Whether they choose to share or not, the world must know what is happening to them.”
