Mukwege’s unwavering dedication to treat thousands of women and children affected by rape and sexual violence made him a hero in his homeland
Denis Mukwege, a 63 years old gynecological surgeon, who has dedicated his life to treating thousands of women and children of sexual violence in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo, shared the 2018 Nobel peace prize with Nadia Murad, a survivor turned activist against sexual violence.
After qualifying as a gynaecologist from France, Dr Mukwege started to practice in his motherland. He was horrified on seeing ghastly injuries on woman, including 2 year old girls to elderly women in their 70s, who managed to reach his clinic, all survivors of brutal sexual violence.
His advocacy nearly cost him his life and he was also exiled by the Congolese government for speaking out against their inaction
Over the years, he has performed countless lifesaving operations at his Panzi hospital in Bukavu, and their plight made him speak out against these atrocities. He then decided to draw attention of the world to, what he called as “an unjust war that has used violence against women and rape as a strategy of war.”
Mukwege’s unwavering dedication to treat thousands of women and children affected by rape and sexual violence made him a hero in his homeland. His advocacy nearly cost him his life and he was also exiled by the Congolese government for speaking out against their inaction. But he returned and continued to work tirelessly to stop this unjust violence against woman.
Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, while announcing the award said, “Denis Mukwege is the helper who has devoted his life to defending these victims.”
Dr. Mukwege is an extraordinary physician, who perfectly embodies the critical role that medical professionals play in witnessing abuse and speaking out against injustice.
Both winners have “put their personal security at risk by courageously combating war crimes and seeking justice for the victims,” Reiss-Andersen added.
Mukwege dedicated the award to all survivors of sexual violence around the world and said, “To the survivors from all over the world, I would like to tell you that through this prize, the world is listening to you and refusing to remain indifferent. The world refuses to sit idly in the face of your suffering.”
