Dr. Denis Mukwege is a world-renowned obstetrician and gynecologist and human rights activist from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In 1999, he founded Panzi Hospital and Foundation and has become the world’s leading specialist in treating survivors of wartime sexual violence, and a global campaigner against the use of rape as a weapon of war. Together with his staff, he has helped to care for more than 70,000 survivors of sexual violence who have received care free-of-charge. Panzi not only treats survivors suffering from physical wounds, but also provides its patients with access to legal services, socio-economic reintegration opportunities, and psychosocial support. Dr. Mukwege has been fearless in his efforts to increase protections for women and to advocate that those responsible for gender-based violence and sexual violence be brought to justice in DRC and around the globe.
In 2018, Dr Mukwege received the Nobel Peace Prize for his global efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. In 2021, he released his book The Power of Women: A journey of hope and healing. Dr Mukwege is also the co-founder of the Global Survivors Fund.
