鶹APPRape in DRC is a strategy of war – it is meant to destroy women and communities physically and mentally鶹APP
Sarah Brown
In a special episode of the Better Angels podcast, Sarah Brown talks to Dr Denis Mukwege about his work as a surgeon and advocate against sexual violence.
Dr Denis Mukwege is a world-renowned gynecological surgeon. But that doesn鶹APPt even begin to tell the remarkable story of this modest man.
For many years, he has been saving the lives of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been victims of gang rape and other sexual violence.
Dr Mukwege 鶹APP nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times 鶹APP is the subject of a Better Angels podcast special interview with 鶹APP President Sarah Brown.
鶹APPI cannot put into words adequately just what a courageous, good-hearted, important man Dr Mukwege is,鶹APP says Sarah as she introduces the man who founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in 1999. Since then he and his staff have helped to care for more than 50,000 survivors of sexual violence in DRC鶹APPs violent ongoing conflict.
Dr Mukwege 鶹APP who had to flee the country at one point after being attacked and threatened by gunmen 鶹APP talks about how the gang rapes in DRC are used as a tool of terror.
鶹APPThis rape is not a sexual act 鶹APP it is a strategy of war. It is meant to destroy women physically and mentally,鶹APP he says.
鶹APPWhen it is happening in front of their family, their children, their husband, it is also to destroy all of the community.鶹APP
He says the courage of women victims made him realise he had to return to DRC to help with their physical and mental recovery.
Dr Mukwege 鶹APP who is a global advocate against sexual violence 鶹APP said: 鶹APPThe big thing is see how the women change.
鶹APPSome of them when they come in look as if they will never be able to stand again, be normal again.
鶹APPBut I鶹APPm so impressed by the capacity of women not only to stand up for their own rights but to stand up for the rights of their children.鶹APP
He talks about the need for justice and reparation for the victims 鶹APP but also for men, the community and wider society to understand the issue and to take action.
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