Gender-based violence and community resilience in the Manipur ethnic conflict (2023–2025): An intersectional analysis

The ethnic conflict in Manipur, India, that began in May 2023 has led to a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by mass displacement, communal violence, and a significant rise in gender-based violence. This study examines violence against women, focusing on sexual and psychological abuses experienced predominantly by Kuki-Zo women. Using a multi-source methodology, it synthesizes data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS‑5), United Nations bodies (UN Women, WHO), India’s National Commission for Women, and scholarly and media reports to provide a comprehensive understanding of gendered violence during the 2023–2025 crisis. Key incidents such as the public parading and gang rape of women, widespread displacement, and systemic failures in legal protection are analyzed within the context of conflict-related sexual violence and institutional collapse. The study further explores the role of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), shortcomings of justice mechanisms, and the ongoing resistance led by local women’s groups like Meira Paibi. Integrating statistical trends with survivor testimonies, this research highlights the deliberate use of violence as a tool of ethnic subjugation where women are targeted both symbolically and physically. The findings underscore an urgent need for institutional reforms and the implementation of international frameworks, including CEDAW and UNSCR 1325, to establish survivor-centered justice and rehabilitation. This research calls for integrating gender justice into peacebuilding processes, especially in regions fractured by ethnic conflict, to support resilience and dignity among affected women.