What we can do for Ibu Mardiyem? It’s already too late. She was passed away last December, after endlessly fighting for her dignity as a human being, and a woman, that had been robbed by Pacific War (1941-1945). Ibu Mardiyem was a “Jogun Ianfu” survivor from Indonesia. And about Jogun Ianfu itself, people tends to translate those Japanese words as “comfort women”.
Comfort women..? Oh please, that term must be invented by men, right? I mean, it doesn’t even refer to the subject itself; those women. Instead it refers them as object, as the “comfort” for the Japanese soldiers in war. Those girls from the abducted lands, such as Indonesia, The Philippines, etc, were being kidnapped and sent to the barracks where they had the horror in their life, being forced as sexual slaves for the Japanese soldiers
Years, and decades, after the nightmares that never ever left her, the late Ibu Mardiyem fought endlessly for her stolen life, asking simply for an apology; from both states; Indonesia which had failed to protect her and Japan that had officially ordered such inhuman act of slavery. But she accepted nothing.
After the Tokyo Tribunal and Den Haag final decision in 2001 that put Japanese Kaiser and its military top brass as guilty, there was an offer to give an “atonement money” for the jugun ianfus. And there we had another humiliation; for every Caucasian, mostly Dutch, Jogun Ianfus, they’re willing to send an atonement money of four millions yen but only its half, two million yen, for Asian ( Indonesian) Jogun Ianfus. (WHAT THE*%#!! The money is not color blind?!!!).
Sadly, the apology would just be given if the women ‘re willing to take the money first.
Honey, for the heroes, dignity has nothing to do with money! That’s why Ibu Mardiyem refused the money, because she wanted mostly to have the apology, period.
It’s very clear for me, who is the hero, and which ones are the cowards. May you rest in peace, Ibu Mardiyem.
Photo : Ibu Mardiyem (left) and Mbak Ninuk Pambudy from Kompas Daily, pictured last year by Wawan H Prabowo/Kompas Daily, Jakarta
Yes, she is a heroine, may she rest in peace!
Oh my goodnes, so sad. Why did they do that?!
Well, just forgive them. One day, God will give his justice!
RITA : war is home for a neverending misery..