Myanmar’s military regime widens ban on menstrual products, citing claims that rebels misuse them.

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Myanmar’s military regime is expanding its ban on the distribution of menstrual sanitary products, citing claims that rebels from the People’s Defence Force (PDF), the National Unity Government’s military wing resisting against the junta, are using them to treat wounded fighters.

The civil war afflicting the country since 2021 has had dire effects on women’s health, especially their sexual and reproductive health, as a result, among other things, of the obstruction of aid deliveries imposed by the junta. Women who have been displaced lack access to fundamental reproductive and sexual health services, as well as menstrual products, clean water and privacy. The junta has justified the ban with claims that the PDF are using menstrual products for first aid, as well as a support for their shoes to absorb sweat and blood. Similar claims and restrictions also concern medicine, bandages and disinfectant. Several activists have denounced the ban as nonsensical: menstrual products cannot realistically be used to treat combat wounds, seeing as they would not be effective and would need to be switched up too often.

The ban impacts the transportation of menstrual products across the country along key routes. The blockades are especially pervasive in the Sagaing region, an area where armed resistance is particularly active, but also an extremely fragile area as a result of the conflict and a devastating earthquake dating back to March 2025. The ban, active since last August, has been expanded this year, though no official communication from the military government has confirmed the policy. The blockade is thought to be an extension of the military’s so-called “four cuts” strategy, aiming to block the resistance’s access to food, funds, intelligence and recruits.

As a result, women are forced to turn to unsafer alternatives, such as rags, leaves and newspapers, which render them vulnerable to illnesses, pain and discomfort. Restrictions have also caused a soaring in prices of sanitary pads in the black market, which effectively renders them inaccessible even through this illegal route. Women are also unable to access medical help for infections caused by inadequate menstrual hygiene. Local organisations are trying to patch up the problem by distributing reusable pads, but the benefits of these are limited by a lack of access to water.

Activists are calling out the ban, declaring it gender-based violence and a violation of women’s rights, especially the right to health. Beyond the immediate restriction to the right to health, the ban has more pervasive effects on women’s life. Women are less likely to access education, have freedom of movement and participate in political life due to the pain and discomfort they experience. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has deemed the targeting of menstrual products a weapon of war insofar as it is used to hinder resistance fighting by targeting female fighters’ ability to act and move freely.

written by Alessia Milillo