Since the 2021 military coup, communities across Myanmar have faced escalating violence, displacement, and political repression. Yet, women, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, continue to lead community organising and advocacy efforts.

In a context of shrinking civic space, displacement and humanitarian uncertainty, strengthening women’s collective leadership is both protective and transformative.

In late October-early November Union Aid Abroad ran a study tour to the Thai-Myanmar border. This tour contained participants from the Australian union movement who attended to learn about our projects in the region and the struggle for democracy in Myanmar.

Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) are deepening its commitment to international solidarity through the Partnerships for Decent Work in the Indo-Pacific.

This year, Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA’s partners led campaigns that strengthened labour rights, advanced gender equality, addressed climate impacts for workers, expanded community resilience, and pushed back against exploitation and authoritarianism. Together, they demonstrate a simple truth: when people organise collectively, they win.

This year has been a tough one for communities around the world. But even in hard times, our message has stayed the same — there’s hope in solidarity. We know this story well. When conditions at work are harsh and the boss is a bully, what do we do? We organise, stand together, and fight back.