Sexual and gender-based violence in Myanmar and the gendered impact of its ethnic conflicts in English normalization of sexual and gender-based violence even further. The net result is a climate of impunity that enables sexual and gender-based violence to continue unabated. 53. Women and girls of ethnic minorities are doubly-victimised in relation to sexual and gender-based violence as women and girls and as members of ethnic minority communities. Rohingya women and girls 54. Rohingya women and girls have suffered multifaceted gender discrimination through the years, leading to violations that infringe on their basic human rights on a regular basis. According to CEDAW, discrimination of women and girls is inextricably linked to other factors that affect them, such as race, ethnicity, religion, health, status, age, class, caste, sexual orientation and gender identity. This distinction will have a bearing on how discrimination or marginalization affects women belonging to these groups, often differently from men.101 55. Understanding the intersectionality of these factors will assist in informing how Rohingya women and girls are affected in unique ways, in particular during times of conflict, and why they need to be afforded strong protection from gender discrimination through empowerment in decision-making processes, reforms of discriminatory laws and practices, and access to basic health services.102 56. The participation of Rohingya women in formal and informal decision-making processes is limited within their communities. Due to their status, they are often relegated to tasks and duties that fit within socially defined norms and practices, such as childbearing,103 attending to household chores, and some to farming.104 The literacy level for most Rohingya women is low compared to those of other ethnic minorities in Myanmar, rendering them more prone to gender discrimination and loss of social, political and economic opportunities.105 57. Rohingya women suffer systemic gender discrimination as a result of Government policies and practices. Their economic, social and cultural rights have been restricted through the imposition of discriminatory laws and policies by the Government. Access to education is limited, with reports of Rohingya children in Central Rakhine being prevented from attending the formal education system because of the combination of movement restrictions and the lack of schools.106 58. Rohingya women do not have equal access to register births. The Government controls the number and spacing of children they can have. 107 Access to basic health care for Rohingya women and girls in Myanmar is inadequate especially with regard to reproductive health due to the combination of few public health facilities and services, movement restrictions,108 mistrust of the service providers, and exclusion or limited access 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 CEDAW/C/GC/28, para.18; Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in Myanmar, UNDP, ADB, UNFPA, UN Women (2016). Wai Wai Nu “Layers of Marginalisation: Life for Rohingya Women Testimony from Myanmar.” The Equal Rights Review, Vol. 16 (2016), pp. 223-227. CEDAW/C/MMR/CO/37, p. 3; See also, Yen Saning; “Interview ‘Within the Political Structure, Women Are Treated as Decorative’” (The Irrawaddy, 27 January 2014). Salai Isaac Khen talks about the importance of women’s voices in the peace process and gender equality as Burma undergoes economic and political reform. NI-018, Gender Equality and Women’s Right’s in Myanmar Gender Situation Analysis (2016) Asian Development Bank, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women. Also, AGIPP. Alliance for Gender Inclusion in the Peace Process Human Rights Watch, “Bangladesh is not My Country.” The plight of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar (5 August 2018). Rohingya Denied Access to Education in Myanmar and Bangladesh.UNICEF estimates 80% of Rohingya are illiterate:”Rohingya Refugee children need help to deal with their trauma (Reliefweb, 26 September 2017). A/HRC/39/CRP.2 p.134 The Population Control Health Care law (2015). A/HRC/39/CPR.2. Paras. 541-555. 15