United Nations Regional Senior Women Protection Advisor for Myanmar

This project supports Myanmar’s Regional Senior Women Protection Advisor (SWPA) position within in the United Nations Development Coordination Office for Asia-Pacific based in Bangkok Thailand. The SWPA has worked primarily with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) in Myanmar for two years from January 2023 to December 2024. With Canada’s support the Regional SWPA ensures the implementation of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)-related to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions in Myanmar and the region. Project activities include: (1) providing guidance and support to UN actors including the Office of Special Representative of the Secretary General Regional Coordinator Office (RCO) UN Country Team and Humanitarian Country Team to develop strategies for prevention and response to CRSV; (2) leading the Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) working group for Myanmar alongside the co-chair from the RCO; (3) leading efforts to engage with and support civil society and women’s rights organizations working in Myanmar from various regional locations; and (4) engaging with the diplomatic community and other key stakeholders to call attention to CRSV issues and coordinate ethical survivor-centred and timely funding support to national actors.

The expected outcomes of this project as implemented by the regional senior women Protection Advisor in Myanmar include: (1) increased guidance and support to United Nations (UN) actors including the Office of Special Representative of the Secretary General Regional Coordinator Office (RCO) UN Country Team and Humanitarian Country Team in strategies of prevention and response to CRSV; (2) increased lead in the Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) Working Group for Myanmar alongside the co-chair from the RCO; (3) increased lead in efforts to engage with and support civil society and women’s rights organizations working in Myanmar from various regional locations; and (4) increased engagement with the diplomatic community and other key stakeholders to call attention to CRSV issues and coordinate ethical survivor-centred and timely funding support to national actors.