Introduction: The Legacy of "Comfort Women" and the Power of Remembrance

In the shadow of World War II, a silent tragedy unraveled across Asia. Tens of thousands of women and girls, remembered today as the "comfort women," were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army. For decades, their suffering was shrouded in silence, overshadowed by stigma, shame, and denial. But out of this darkness has emerged a movement—a tapestry of protests, voices, and activism advocating for justice, remembrance, and dignity for all victims of wartime sexual violence.

Central to this movement stands the Statue of Peace, a striking symbol honoring the "comfort women" and a global reminder of the importance of historical truth and the enduring quest for justice. This statue is more than a monument; it is part of a wider story—a story in which women, once denied power, are now standing at the forefront, transforming protest into policy, and reshaping the rules of power for generations to come.

In this blog post, we explore how the legacy of "comfort women" has inspired a new wave of activism and policy change, illustrating the dynamic power of collective memory, international solidarity, and women’s leadership in rewriting the rules of power.

From Voices in the Shadows: The Protest Movement Takes Root

For many years after the end of World War II, the stories of "comfort women" remained marginalized—disregarded by official narratives and obscured within patriarchal societies. Survivors, primarily from Korea, China, the Philippines, and other occupied territories, bore their pain in silence. But in the late 20th century, a historic shift began. Brave survivors started speaking out, demanding acknowledgment, apologies, and reparations.

The first wave of activism began in earnest in the early 1990s, catalyzed by survivors like Kim Hak-sun, who broke decades of silence to share her story. This courageous act sparked a global movement. Protests began outside embassies, survivor testimonies reached international platforms, and NGOs, educators, and youth groups rallied for change. The transformation of individual suffering into collective action set a precedent for grassroots women’s activism worldwide.

The Statue of Peace: A Global Symbol of Remembrance and Resistance

In 2011, a pivotal moment arrived: the installation of the first Statue of Peace in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Crafted by artists Kim Seo-kyung and Kim Eun-sung, the statue of a seated girl gazing toward the embassy captured the innocence lost by the "comfort women" and embodied their unbroken resolve. Since then, replicas have appeared across continents—from the United States to Germany—amplifying the call for historical justice and women's rights.

The Statue of Peace is more than a memorial. It anchors public protests, educational campaigns, and remembrance ceremonies. It operates as both a site of mourning and mobilization, transforming collective memory into a powerful tool for policy advocacy and cultural change.

Transforming Protest Into Policy: Achieving Justice for Survivors

As the movement grew, so did its political influence. Women activists and their allies harnessed protests to push for institutional change, leveraging international human rights instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Some of the most significant accomplishments include:

• Official Apologies and Legal Recognition: Survivors and activists pressured the Japanese government and international organizations to acknowledge wartime sexual slavery. While the path to justice remains complex and unfinished, activism has led to formal apologies and financial compensation programs—albeit with ongoing debates about their sufficiency.
• Establishment of Truth Commissions and Educational Reforms: Countries including South Korea and the Philippines have conducted historical investigations, created museum exhibits, and launched educational curricula to teach future generations about the comfort women experience and the importance of women’s rights in conflict zones.
• Policy Advocacy: Legislative bodies in the United States, Canada, and the European Union have passed resolutions urging Japan to accept historical responsibility, ensure accurate education, and provide justice for survivors—demonstrating the extension of activism into foreign policy and international law.

Women’s Leadership at the Forefront

Perhaps the most transformative element of this movement has been the rise of women’s leadership. Survivors, activists, educators, artists, and lawmakers—many of them women—have steered this cause from the margins to mainstream politics and international discourse.

Leaders like Gil Won-ok and Lee Yong-soo have marched every Wednesday in Seoul, speaking truth to power and inspiring a new generation. Organizations such as the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan have elevated survivor voices, built coalitions, and guided international advocacy.

These efforts underscore a critical shift: women are not only claiming space in public debates about history and justice but are defining the terms and strategies for systemic change.

The Ripple Effect: Global Advocacy Against Wartime Sexual Violence

The journey of the "comfort women" movement reverberates far beyond East Asia. As international attention has grown, the lessons learned from comfort women activism have informed campaigns against wartime sexual violence worldwide. Survivors of conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda, the Congo, and elsewhere have drawn inspiration from the resilience and strategies of the comfort women’s movement.

Major global initiatives—such as the United Nations’ efforts to end sexual violence in conflict—have incorporated recommendations from women-led advocacy, ensuring that victims' voices are included in peace processes, transitional justice mechanisms, and post-conflict reparations.

Public art installations like the Statue of Peace, educational campaigns, and international commemorative days are now key elements in global efforts to break the silence around gendered violence. The comfort women movement thus exemplifies how memorialization and protest can generate vital policy shifts, shaping not just national memory but international norms.

Conclusion: Rewriting the Rules of Power—A Call to Remember and Act

The story of the "comfort women" is not just a record of historical injustice, but a powerful narrative of transformation. From the first voices of protest to the corridors of policy and international law, women have demonstrated that the courage to remember, speak, and demand justice can—and does—rewrite the rules of power.

The Statue of Peace stands as both a memorial and a living call: to honor the past, to educate the present, and to forge a future where no woman’s suffering is forgotten or denied. It reminds us that protest is not an endpoint, but the foundation upon which real change is built.

As we reflect on this journey, let us recommit ourselves to supporting the survivors, amplifying their voices, and advocating for policies that protect the rights and dignity of women everywhere. The movement for justice for "comfort women" teaches us that solidarity, remembrance, and action are essential ingredients for lasting change. Together, we can ensure that the lessons born from suffering become the seeds of a more just and equitable world.

Never forget. Never again. Stand for remembrance, justice, and women's rights worldwide.