Myanmar – Kawthaung Town -: Anti-Human Trafficking Women and Education of Children and
Young Girls, HIV Health Care

Kawthaung is a town on the Thai/Myanmar border where approximately one-quarter of the population live in poverty. Despite being in an area of economic growth, Myanmar is the poorest country in the region. It is resource-rich but its economy is one of the least developed in the world.

Given its geographical location, Kawthaung has become a place for the trafficking of women and children. Many children and their families are “smart talked” by traffickers who promise the opportunity to make money in Thailand. Ignorance and the rights of women and children are overlooked. Myanmar has one of the highest levels of children under 5 suffering from chronic
malnutrition (childhood stunting). These children face irreparable damage to their physical and mental development, with serious consequences in cognitive, social and economic outcomes.

To alleviate these issues, various programs are offered to support the care of HIV/AIDS patients and their children with education and nutrition and health care as well as sewing classes to enable women to earn an income.

Lenity has committed funding for 5 years to prevent human trafficking through the provision of support for the poor and marginalised in both education and health care.