Denis Mukwege, an International Member of the NAM, Class of 2014, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year “for his efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.”
From nobelprize.org:
“As a pediatrician and an OB/GYN, Denis Mukwege has spent large parts of his adult life helping the victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the Panzi Hospital was established in Bukavu in 1999, Dr. Mukwege and his staff have treated thousands of patients who have fallen victim to such assaults. Most of the abuses have been committed in the context of a long-lasting civil war that has cost the lives of more than six million Congolese.
Denis Mukwege is the foremost, most unifying symbol, both nationally and internationally, of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflicts. His basic principle is that “justice is everyone’s business”. Men and women, officers and soldiers, and local, national and international authorities alike all have a shared responsibility for reporting, and combating, this type of war crime. The importance of Dr. Mukwege’s enduring, dedicated and selfless efforts in this field cannot be overstated. He has repeatedly condemned impunity for mass rape and criticized the Congolese government and other countries for not doing enough to stop the use of sexual violence against women as a strategy and weapon of war.”
Mukwege shares the award with Nadia Murad, a witness who tells of the abuses perpetrated against herself and others.
Find more information about the Nobel Peace Prize and Denis Mukwege here.
