From Victims to Fighters: A Conversation about Rape in Conflict (Part 2)
Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash
The previous blog post on conflict-related sexual violence discussed the concept broadly and utilized a 2017 report by Secretary-General António Guterres analyzing the crisis as it exists on a global scale. This article will examine the work of the recent Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Doctor Denis Mukwege of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nadia Murad of Iraq. Their efforts as activists and allies have not only provided immense support to victims of sexual violence, but have also brought the world’s attention to the atrocities so many have endured as a result of conflict and war.
Dr. Denis Mukwege has devoted his life’s efforts to supporting victims of sexual assault due to war and conflict in DR Congo. He opened Panzi Reference General Hospital in Bukavu and cares for more than 3,500 women per year [1]. As a gynecologist and surgeon, he’s witnessed atrocious violence against women at the hands of groups who strategically use rape as a military tactic. His own observations concerning conflict and rape reveal their direct connection; “In 2011, we witnessed a fall in the number of cases… But since last year, when the war resumed, cases have increased again. It’s a phenomenon which is linked entirely to the war situation” [2]. In his practice, Dr. Mukwege not only offers medical care for victims but also supports each person through psychological evaluations, psychosocial support, financial and legal assistance, and community reintegration services in the after-care process [3]. Mukwege’s efforts and unyielding support for victims can be seen reflected in his dedication of the award to those affected by sexual violence; “Dear survivors around the world, I want to tell you that through this prize the world is listening to you and refuses indifference … We hope that the world will no longer delay taking action in your favour, with force and determination, because the survival of humanity depends on you. It’s you women who carry humanity” [4]. In addition to his Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Mukwege has received other international awards, including the 2008 UN Human Rights Prize and was also named African of the Year in 2009 [5].
Also a Peace Prize winner for her anti-rape activism, Nadia Murad is the first Iraqi and second youngest winner of the award in history. Murad endured three months of sexual and physical violence as a sex slave under IS militants before fleeing captivity [6]. Since her escape, she has worked to end human trafficking by demanding the world be more vigilant in prosecuting those who use rape as an act of war [7]. She has also become the face of a campaign to free the Yazidi people from violence caused by terrorist groups [8]. Upon accepting her award, Murad called attention to the countless victims of sexual violence and genocide around the world while specifically highlighting the plight of the Yazidi people [9]. In her accepting statement, Murad urged the world to recognize “persecution of minorities must end. We must work together with determination — to prove that genocidal campaigns will not only fail, but lead to accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the survivors” [10]. Murad holds a number of awards in addition to her Nobel Peace Prize including the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament, the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Council of Europe, and has been named the UN’s first goodwill ambassador for survivors of human trafficking [11].
Photo: Dr. Denis Mukwege (left) and Nadia Murad (right). https://on.wsj.com/2ORk2iu
The experiences of Dr. Mukwege’s patients and Nadia Murad show that conflict-related sexual assault does not occur as isolated incidents in singular parts of the world. Rather, rape as a strategy in war serves as a means to dominate, humiliate, and terrorize communities. The efforts of Mukwege and Murad’s work highlights resilience in the face of atrocious violence. Today, the work of these two individuals is more important than ever. With a majority of news headlines regarding the prominence of sexual assault and a lack of empathy toward those who speak out against perpetrators an everyday occurrence, anger and discouragement has become the norm for so many individuals. The Nobel Committee’s choice in awarding the Peace Prize to Mukwege and Murad gives hope in a social climate where victims of sexual assault and trauma are blamed rather than believed. In recognizing these two laureates, global attention has been drawn to the crisis of conflict-related sexual violence, the efforts of prominent individuals fighting to end assault, acknowledging the connection between war and rape, and finally to the work still to be done to eradicate sexual and gender-based violence around the world.
Read more about Murad and Dr. Mukwege here and check out the first part of this Medium series discussing the concept of conflict-based sexual violence as a whole. Be sure to join Nonviolence International-NY’s dialogue on gender-based violence through our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
References
[1] “Nobel Peace Prize Winner: Denis Mukwege from DR Congo.” BBC News. October 05, 2018. Accessed October 10, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45759304.
[2] Ibid.
[3] “The Panzi Model.” Panzi Foundation. Accessed October 10, 2018. https://www.panzifoundation.org/the-panzi-model-1/#the-panzi-model.
[4] “The Latest: Nobel Winner Stands up for Persecuted Minorities.” Richmond News. October 05, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2018. https://www.richmond-news.com/the-latest-nobel-winner-stands-up-for-persecuted-minorities-1.23453718.
[5] “Nadia Murad — from Rape Survivor in Iraq to Nobel Peace Prize.” BBC News. October 05, 2018. Accessed October 09, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45759669.
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “Nobel Peace Prize for Anti-rape Activists Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege.” BBC News. October 05, 2018. Accessed October 09, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45759221.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
