A column by Felicity Gerry KC.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women worldwide, but we must also take a moment to reflect on the unique challenges that women face in the justice system — particularly trafficked women who find themselves imprisoned for crimes they were forced, compelled, or coerced into committing.
In December 2024, after years of international advocacy, Mary Jane Veloso was finally released from prison and returned home to the Philippines. Veloso, a trafficked victim sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, is now seeking a pardon. Her case is a powerful reminder of the critical role lawyers play in fighting for justice, particularly for vulnerable women caught in the complexities of the legal system. I was proud to have assisted in her case and supported the call in 2025 for her to be completely pardoned.
Mary Jane Veloso: A Triumph of Advocacy and Resilience
Mary Jane Veloso’s case is one that shook the world. In 2010, she was arrested at an Indonesian airport with heroin hidden in her suitcase, but her story was far from a simple drug trafficking case. She had been trafficked by recruiters in the Philippines and manipulated into becoming a drug courier under false pretenses. Despite her victim-perpetrator status, she was sentenced to death in 2010, and her story of exploitation was initially ignored.
For years, Mary Jane Veloso’s life hung in the balance. In 2015, her execution was stayed at the very last moment after her traffickers were arrested in the Philippines, prompting international outcry and renewed efforts to save her life.
In 2024, after more than a decade on death row, she was released and returned home, a symbol of survival and the power of sustained advocacy for her and for trafficked women in prison around the world. Her next battle is seeking a pardon to clear her name, a step that will depend on the Philippines’ ability to recognize her trafficked status, what she has endured, and what her case means for so many trafficked women in prison.
The Role of Women Lawyers in Mary Jane’s Story
Mary Jane Veloso’s release is a victory not just for her but for the women lawyers and advocates who worked tirelessly on her behalf. It was the persistence of her legal team, which included skilled lawyers and human rights defenders, that helped ensure her trafficked status was acknowledged, halting her execution and ultimately securing her release. This case highlights the critical role that particularly women lawyers can play in defending the rights of vulnerable women who find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system.
Women lawyers bring unique perspectives and a deep understanding of the gendered dimensions of crime, particularly in cases involving trafficking and exploitation. They are often at the forefront of legal battles to ensure that trafficked women are recognized not as criminals but as victims of abuse, manipulation, and coercion.
When becoming involved in Mary Jane Veloso’s case, I understood these complexities and fought to ensure that her story was heard, advocating for the application of the non-punishment principle — an international legal concept that protects trafficked persons from being prosecuted for crimes they were forced, compelled, or coerced to commit.
Women Lawyers and the Non-Punishment Principle
The non-punishment principle, enshrined in international law, asserts that trafficked individuals should not be prosecuted for crimes that directly result from their exploitation. This principle is especially crucial for women, who are disproportionately affected by human trafficking and often forced, compelled, or coerced into criminal activities. However, this principle is still not consistently applied, and many trafficked women remain imprisoned for acts they were coerced into committing.
The non-punishment principle is not just a legal tool, it is a matter of gender justice. Women lawyers, with their focus on the rights and needs of vulnerable women, have been instrumental in pushing for its broader application.
These legal professionals, including myself, understand that trafficked women face unique forms of exploitation and that all justice systems must be adjusted to acknowledge their experiences and protect them from traffickers, not prosecute them in prisons. On top of this, I have long advocated for trauma-informed approaches that consider the psychological, emotional, and social factors at play in trafficking cases, ensuring that the law protects, rather than punishes, these women.
Why Women Lawyers Are Essential to Advancing Women’s Rights
Mary Jane Veloso’s case underscores the importance of having women lawyers at the helm when it comes to issues that disproportionately affect women. Around the world, women continue to be marginalized and silenced, particularly in legal processes that fail to account for the specific challenges they face. This is especially true for trafficked women, whose experiences of coercion and violence are often overlooked or misunderstood in traditional legal frameworks.
Women lawyers are uniquely positioned to change this narrative. They bring not only legal expertise but also empathy and a deep understanding of the broader social and gender-based inequalities that underpin many legal cases. Whether defending women like Mary Jane Veloso or pushing for reforms to protect victims of human trafficking, women lawyers have been trailblazers in advocating for a justice system that is fairer and more equitable for women.
In Mary Jane Veloso’s case, it was human rights lawyers who led the charge, ensuring that the global spotlight remained on her plight, mobilizing international advocacy, and using every tool at their disposal to battle for her life. Our work serves as a powerful example of how women lawyers are essential in advancing women’s rights and ensuring that justice is served.
Continuing the Battle for Justice for Trafficked Women in Criminal Justice
Mary Jane Veloso’s story is far from over. While her release is a significant victory, her call for a full pardon continues. Her case remains a symbol of the systemic failures that trafficked women face in criminal justice systems and the ongoing need for legal reforms to ensure that women like her are not punished for crimes they were forced, compelled, or coerced to commit.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognize the power of women lawyers in shaping a fairer, more just legal landscape. They are advocates, defenders, and changemakers, working to ensure that trafficked women are protected, their voices heard, and their rights upheld. In a world where women continue to face disproportionate barriers in accessing justice, women lawyers stand as beacons of hope, ensuring that the law serves all equally.
This International Women’s Day, I would like to honor the contributions of women lawyers and their relentless pursuit of justice for trafficked women like Mary Jane Veloso. Our work as women lawyers reminds us that, with courage and commitment, we can create legal change that benefits trafficked women out of prisons, no longer punished for their victimization but empowered to reclaim their lives and futures.
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