On 15th August, WWII came to an end some 64 years ago. However, for the so called “Comfort Women” who suffered under the military sexual slavery system sanctioned by the Japanese government, the nightmare of war continues.

Join us, as we hear from survivor GIL Won Ok about her journey from being a victim of war crimes to a campaigner of women’s human rights, lobbying MPs for an official apology from Japan.

Also Speaking:

Ms YOUN Mee Hyang, Director, The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan

In Canberra

DATE: Wednesday 12 August 2009
TIME: From 6pm for 6.15pm start.
VENUE: HC Coombs Building Extension, Lecture theatre 1.04.
MAP: http://regnet.anu.edu.au/program/_map/index.php
RSVP: Please email fcwaustralia@gmail.com with “Canberra Event” in subject line
CONTACT: Anna Song, Friends of “Comfort Women” in Australia at 0412 339 222 & SHIN Joon-Shik, Korean Resource Centre at 0409 887 388

This event is co-organised by Friends of “Comfort Women” in Australia and Korean Resource Centre

In Sydney

DATE: Friday 14 August 2009
TIME: 12noon for 12.15pm start
VENUE: Building 2, Lecture Room 411, UTS (Enter from Broadway, next to Tower Building)
MAP: http://www.uts.edu.au/about/mapsdirections/bway.html
RSVP: Please email fcwaustralia@gmail.com with “Sydney Event” in subject line
CONTACT: Anna Song, Friends of “Comfort Women” in Australia at 0412 339 222

This event is co-organised by Friends of “Comfort Women” in Australia and Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Research Centre and the Indian Ocean and South Asia Research Network at UTS.

Refreshments will be served.

Download event flyer here.

Sign 8.15 Online Petition Action

Support “Comfort Women” motion in Australian House of Representatives in 2008!

13th-16th August 2008

August 15th marks the 63rd anniversary of the end of WWII. It’s also a day of Global Action for “Comfort Women” with solidarity activities in Korea, Japan, Phillipines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Netherlands, Germany, USA and Australia.

Friends of “Comfort Women” in Australia (FCWA) and Korean Council together with supporting organizations invite you to the events below aimed to raise awareness and build support for the Australian parliament to pass a motion urging the Japanese government’s official apology to the survivors.

Speakers are:

* Australian survivor Jan Ruff O’Herne
* Korean survivor Gil Won Ok
* Korean activist Yoon Mee Hyang
* Korean activist/academic Prof Cho Shi Hyun
* Japanese activist/academic Prof Michiko Nakahara

In Melbourne

TITLE: ‘Comfort Women’, Memory and Justice – Free Public Lecture
DATE: Wednesday 13 August
TIME: 5.30 – 7.30 pm
LOCATION: Menzies Building, Lecture Theatre H1, Monash University, Clayton
ENQUIRIES: Email Beatrice.Trefalt@arts.monash.edu.au, mrom3@student.monash.edu.au or call 03 9905 5118

TITLE:Lunchtime Public Forum on “Comfort Women” by Amnesty International Australia
DATE: Thursday 14 August
TIME: 1-2pm
LOCATION: Legislative Assembly Chamber of Victorian Parliament
ENQUIRIES: Email vicaia@amnesty.org.au

Justice for “Comfort Women” – From a Japanese Perspective & “Comfort Women” and UN Human Rights Bodies 1992-2008
DATE:Thursday 14 August
TIME:6pm for refreshments & 6.30pm for lecture
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre 102, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton
ENQUIRIES:Email fcw_australia@hotmail.com or call 0412 339 222

15th August Global Action for “Comfort Women” – Public Rally
DATE: Friday 15 August 2008
TIME:12 noon start
LOCATION:City Square, Melbourne (Cnr Swanston St and Collins Sts – Opposite Melbourne Town Hall)
ENQUIRIES: Email fcw_australia@hotmail.com or call 0412 339 222

In Sydney

Public Forum and Fundraiser Dinner for Women and Human Rights Museum
DATE: Saturday 16 August 2008
TIME: 6pm for 6.30pm start
LOCATION: Korean Society Hall, 82 Brighton Avenue, Croydon Park
COST: $20 (students and aged pensions and other social security recipients )
$30 and over for income earners
ENQUIRIES: Email fcw_australia@hotmail.com or call 0412 339 222