Estelita Dy, a Filipina survivor of wartime sexual slavery under Japanese forces during World War II, passed away on November 24, 2024, at age 94. Dy was abducted at 14 while working on a sugarcane farm and subjected to repeated atrocities in military barracks. Her story, emblematic of countless “comfort women” across Asia, underscores unresolved historical wounds.
In the 1990s, Dy joined Lila Pilipina, an organization advocating for justice for wartime sexual slavery victims, inspired by fellow survivor Rosa Henson. Sharon Cabusao-Silva, the group’s director, emphasized Dy’s lifelong resolve: “She fought for justice until her deathbed.”
Dy’s daughter, Elizabeth, has vowed to continue her mother’s mission. At her mother’s graveside, Elizabeth declared: “We demand historical accountability and reparations. Though she’s gone, I’ll keep fighting, even if justice feels distant.”
Their struggle reflects broader calls across Asia for acknowledgment of wartime suffering. Estelita Dy’s life and legacy are further explored in the documentary Last Daughters, highlighting survivors’ resilience.
