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Myanmar religious leaders take on violence against women

Issue remains major problem in Southeast Asian nation
Myanmar religious leaders take on violence against women
Published: March 07, 2016 06:52 AM GMT
Updated: March 07, 2016 09:16 AM GMT

Religious leaders from four major faiths in Myanmar called for an end to violence and discrimination against women during an International Women's Day debate in Yangon, The Myanmar Times reported.

The three-hour discussion was organized by U.N. Women and Religions for Peace, a Yangon-based interfaith group bringing together Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

"Violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights violation in Myanmar," Jean D'Cunha, head of U.N. Women Myanmar, said in her opening address.

Violence against women is a major problem in Myanmar where public awareness about the issue is low and cultural norms, ignorance about their rights, and a lack of legal aid and counseling often prevent women and girls from speaking out.

"Given the strategic reach and influence that religious leaders have in communities, their contribution to ending violence against women and girls is invaluable," D'Cunha told The Myanmar Times.

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