Last Sunday I traveled to Gwangju City on the outskirts of Seoul to visit the House of Sharing. The House of Sharing is a museum and residence for survivors of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery during WWII.
The day was sobering, disturbing and inspiring.
During WWII, Korean woman were kidnapped and forced into a horrific life of rape, abuse, starvation and torture. The Japanese military called them "comfort woman." For decades their struggle and pain remained buried inside each of them but in 1991, a few brave woman came forward and told the world of the pain they had endured.
There are currently 8 halmoni (grandmothers) living at the House of Sharing. These beautiful woman fight to bring awareness to not only their stories but the stories of many around the world today who are victims of sexual slavery.
Every Wednesday since 1992 survivors and others who are fighting with these woman gather outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest. Many are in their 80's, frail and weak but they continue their fight. The Japanese Government continues to deny it's role in participating or establishing "comfort houses" throughout all of South East Asia during the war.
Visit the House of Sharing website and spread the word. Perhaps if the world cries out for those who have come forward and for those still living in their pain, wrong things will be made right and captives will be set free.
www.houseofsharing.org
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