Early life
Rosa Henson was born in 1943 in the province of Masbate, Philippines. She grew up in a rural community and, like many of her contemporaries, had limited access to formal education.
World War II experience
At the age of 13, Henson was recruited by Japanese military personnel who were operating in the Philippines during World War II. She was taken to a designated “comfort station,” where she was subjected to forced sexual slavery by members of the Imperial Japanese Army. Henson's experience is consistent with documented practices in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation, in which an estimated several hundred Filipino women were compelled to serve as “comfort women.”
Public disclosure and activism
For more than six decades, Henson remained silent about her wartime ordeal. In 2007, she publicly disclosed her experience during a testimonial before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs and in interviews with international media outlets. Her testimony contributed to a broader recognition of Filipino “comfort women” as a distinct group within the global discourse on wartime sexual slavery.
Following her disclosure, Henson became an advocate for the rights of former “comfort women” and for historical accountability. She has participated in commemorative events, including gatherings organized by survivor networks and human‑rights organizations in the Philippines and abroad. Henson has also spoken at academic conferences and public forums, urging the Japanese government to formally acknowledge and apologize for the sexual slavery program and to provide reparations to survivors.
Recognition
Henson’s advocacy has been acknowledged by several civil‑society groups. She has received awards from Philippine non‑governmental organizations dedicated to women’s rights and historical justice. Her testimony is cited in reports produced by international human‑rights bodies concerning wartime sexual violence.
Current status
As of the latest publicly available information (2022), Rosa Henson was alive and continued to reside in the Philippines, engaging intermittently in advocacy activities. No further updates have been documented in widely accessible encyclopedic sources.
Legacy
Rosa Henson is regarded as a pivotal figure in bringing the plight of Filipino “comfort women” to international attention. Her testimony has contributed to scholarly research, public awareness, and ongoing diplomatic discussions regarding reparations and historical reconciliation between the Philippines and Japan.
