Abstract:
Burma faces heightened vulnerability to environmental disasters as a result of widespread deforestation and the accelerating effects of climate change. However, ongoing internal conflicts—particularly civil war and political unrest—have led the ruling military regime to deprioritize environmental concerns, exacerbating the consequences of ecological degradation. Women and children are disproportionately affected by these disasters, as intersecting factors such as entrenched patriarchy, traditional gender roles, economic instability, and political repression compound their vulnerability. This paper critically examines the role of military dictatorship in shaping disaster preparedness and response and explores the broader humanitarian crises emerging in the context of environmental collapse and authoritarian governance in Burma.
Citation:
Win, S. (2026). Gender, Dictatorship, and Environment: The Military Government Response to Environmental Disasters in Burma (Myanmar). In: Wejnert, B. (eds) Democracy in Retreat and the Climate Crisis. Springer Studies on Populism, Identity Politics and Social Justice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02881-5_7