Women, Conflict and Healthcare: Access, Negotiation and Agency in the Indo-Myanmar Borderland

Prof. Samrat Sinha

The proposed study, "Women, Conflict and Healthcare: Access, Negotiation and Agency in the Indo-Myanmar Borderland," aims to systematically examine healthcare access for vulnerable populations, especially women and girls, in the Indo-Myanmar border region. It seeks to address the lack of data on healthcare access among displaced populations and to explore healthcare access patterns for women and girls in this complex borderland. Building on pilot research conducted since May 2023, the study aims to develop and validate a framework for understanding health system dynamics and humanitarian action in the Indo-Myanmar border region. Studying healthcare in border regions for women and girls is crucial due to their heightened vulnerability in displacement situations. These areas often lack stable healthcare infrastructure, and the mobility restrictions and safety concerns disproportionately impact women and girls, limiting their access to essential health services. Additionally, social and cultural norms can further restrict their healthcare access, making it imperative to understand these unique challenges. Border healthcare encompasses both meso-level institutions and micro-level decision-making. While health facilities may exist in border zones, the mechanisms through which vulnerable communities access these institutions are not well understood, particularly from a patient-centered perspective. Therefore, the study provides a micro-level analysis to explore the gendered dynamics of healthcare access, focusing on how women access, negotiate, and exercise agency through social and kinship networks. Understanding these dynamics can inform targeted interventions and policies to improve healthcare delivery and support for women and girls in border regions, ultimately contributing to more equitable health outcomes in these areas.