The majority of Myanmar’s population is Buddhist, and the Rohingya Muslim minority has been called the world’s most vulnerable ethnic group. The UN talks about crimes against humanity that have been going on since 2017 and according to UNHCR, 1.2 million people have fled the country.
Midwife Nyo Nyo is one of those who chose to stay. She remembers when the military junta searched her home village in Rakhine state for “Muslim terrorists”.
– Soldiers burned down homes, raped women and killed Muslims, she says in “Dox: Midwives in Myanmar”.
Giving birth in rice fields
The Muslim population of the small village in Rakhine state is not allowed to travel and has very limited access to healthcare. Nyo Nyo describes how women have had to give birth to their children right on the ground out in the rice fields, without midwives or medicines.
– In troubled times you have to know how to deliver a woman, says Hla as she teaches Nyo Nyo at her clinic.
Dangerous to support Muslims
Even the Buddhists in the country who support Muslims are vulnerable. Midwife Hla says she was harassed by a group of men who wanted to photograph her after they found out she was treating Rohingya at her clinic.
– I said: “Then take a picture, but I want to look nice.” I’m not giving up without a fight!
By selling her jewelry and mortgaging parts of the family’s land, Nyo Nyo managed to open her own clinic to treat Muslim patients two years ago.
– I pray that we will be allowed to live in peace.
See “Dox: The midwives in Myanmar” on SVT Play, or Tuesday 18/4 at 22:30 in SVT2.