(Photo/Office of the Press Secretary)
By Christine Fabro
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday, May 13, said the Philippine government is undertaking actions to address the concerns of the “Malaya Lolas,” a group of victims of sexual slavery at the hands of the Japanese imperial army during World War II.
“I have instructed the relevant government agencies to look into how we can appropriately address the concerns of the Malaya Lolas. Government agencies concerned are formulating a comprehensive response to the CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) Committee and will submit this within the required period,” the Chief Executive said in a statement.
“We commit to undertaking measures and finding ways to help them live better lives as an expression of our continued deep solidarity with them and of our [utmost] respect,” he stressed.
The President emphasized that the administration “strongly upholds women’s rights and pushes for gender equality as inscribed in our national laws, our treaty obligations especially under the CEDAW, and other international human rights instruments.”
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights earlier called the Philippines’ attention for not providing reparation, social support and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered by victims of sexual slavery during World War II.
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