Hardly anyone has as much experience with victims of sexualized war violence as Denis Mukwege. Now the Congolese doctor is helping Ukraine.
The Congolese doctor and Nobel Prize winner Denis Mukwege Photo: Kurt Desplenter/imago
Kampala/Berlin taz | The nurses and doctors of the Congolese Panzi Hospital have lined up to receive a delegation from Ukraine. The Congolese chief physician, Denis Mukwege, greets the Ukrainian delegation leader, Vasyl Lutsyk, with a warm handshake.
No country in the world has gained as much experience in dealing with sexual violence as the Democratic Republic of Congo – and the Ukrainian delegation now wants to benefit from this.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, brutal rapes of women and girls – but increasingly also of men – have been part of the violent experiences of war for decades. Since 2010, the country has been considered the “worst place in the world to be a woman”. According to the latest figures from the International Red Cross, more than half of Congolese women have experienced some form of physical violence and more than 27 percent are victims of sexual violence.
Against this background, the Panzi Hospital in the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu, capital of the province of South Kivu and the site of numerous wars, has gained notoriety worldwide. The clinic specializes in particularly brutal injuries that require surgery, as well as in the psychological treatment of victims of violence. Panzi’s chief physician Mukwege received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his “efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon in wars and armed conflicts,” according to the Nobel Prize Committee’s website.
Ukrainian psychologists were completely overwhelmed
In April 2022, Mukwege and his colleagues were invited to Ukraine for the first time. In July 2022, his foundation and the Panzi Hospital signed a partnership agreement with Ukraine. According to this, holistic approaches to the treatment of victims of sexual violence are to be anchored in the Ukrainian health system. This includes not only medical interventions, but also special trauma treatment methods as well as legal and economic support for victims of violence.
Shortly after the signing of the agreement, experts from Panzi Hospital began training their Ukrainian partners via the Internet, including first aid teams and paramedics, as well as psychologists and those who answer emergency calls from victims of violence.
According to Mukwege’s foundation, the aim was to train those who deal with the victims of violence on a daily basis in stress management and self-care. Ukrainian psychologists in particular were initially completely overwhelmed by the horror stories that the victims of violence told, according to a project report by the foundation.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has documented over 300 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian military personnel against Ukrainians. The number of undocumented acts of sexual violence is likely to be considerably higher.
The war also drives domestic violence
“Many are only now speaking about the sexual violence they suffered,” Kharkiv human rights lawyer Tamila Bespala told taz. She supports and advises people who lived in areas temporarily occupied by Russia.
But violence is also increasing in Ukrainian society. In an interview with the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, Deputy Interior Minister Katerina Pavlichenko spoke of an increase in domestic violence. “Many factors influence the increase in domestic violence in Ukraine. Most of them are related to the war. The return of veterans from the front is one of them.” The war, said the minister, is a breeding ground for violence.
Against this background, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has set up a hotline in Ukraine that people at risk can contact. Its employees are now being trained and advised by their Congolese partners.
“I am very touched that you have come all the way here,” Mukwege told his Ukrainian partners while showing them the Panzi Hospital in Congo. “But I also think that international solidarity can help us fight against this barbarism in which women and women’s bodies have become a battlefield.”
What is Dr. Denis Mukwege’s role in supporting victims of sexualized war violence in Ukraine?
Table of Contents
Dr. Denis Mukwege: A Beacon of Hope for Victims of Sexualized War Violence in Ukraine
The recent partnership between Dr. Denis Mukwege’s foundation and Ukraine has brought a glimmer of hope to the victims of sexualized war violence in Ukraine. As a Congolese doctor and Nobel laureate, Dr. Mukwege has extensive experience in treating and supporting survivors of sexual violence, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His expertise is now being leveraged to help Ukraine address the growing issue of sexualized war violence.
A Lifetime of Experience in Treating Sexual Violence
Dr. Mukwege’s Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, has gained international recognition for its specialized treatment of victims of sexual violence. The hospital’s staff has treated countless women, girls, and men who have been subjected to brutal rapes and sexual violence during conflicts. According to the International Red Cross, more than half of Congolese women have experienced physical violence, and over 27% have been victims of sexual violence.
Dr. Mukwege’s tireless efforts to provide holistic care to survivors of sexual violence earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. His work has not only saved countless lives but has also helped to shed light on the devastating consequences of sexualized war violence.
Partnership with Ukraine: A New Chapter in Supporting Survivors
In April 2022, Dr. Mukwege and his team were invited to Ukraine to share their expertise in treating survivors of sexual violence. The partnership between his foundation and Ukraine was formalized in July 2022, with the goal of integrating holistic approaches to treating victims of sexual violence into Ukraine’s health system. This includes medical interventions, trauma treatment, legal, and economic support for survivors.
Training Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals
As part of the partnership, experts from Panzi Hospital have been training Ukrainian healthcare professionals, including psychologists, paramedics, and first responders. The training focuses on stress management, self-care, and specialized techniques for treating survivors of sexual violence. Ukrainian psychologists, in particular, were initially overwhelmed by the horror stories shared by survivors, but with the training, they are now better equipped to provide support.
The Scale of Sexual Violence in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has documented over 300 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian military personnel against Ukrainians. However, the true extent of sexual violence is likely much higher, with many cases going unreported. The war has also led to an increase in domestic violence, with the Deputy Interior Minister citing the return of veterans from the front as one of the contributing factors.
A Beacon of Hope for Survivors
Dr. Mukwege’s partnership with Ukraine offers a glimmer of hope to survivors of sexualized war violence. His foundation’s expertise and commitment to providing holistic care will help to ensure that survivors receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. As Dr. Mukwege’s work continues to inspire and empower survivors around the world, his partnership with Ukraine is a crucial step towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for those affected by sexual violence.
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H2: The Scale of Sexual Violence in Ukraine
H2: A Beacon of Hope for Survivors
How is Dr. Denis Mukwege assisting Ukraine in addressing sexualized war violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege: The Congolese Doctor Helping Ukraine Heal from Sexualized War Violence
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by sexualized war violence for decades, earning it the dubious title of “worst place in the world to be a woman”. However, from this darkness, a beacon of hope has emerged in the form of Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Congolese doctor who has dedicated his life to treating and advocating for victims of sexual violence. Now, he is bringing his expertise to Ukraine, a country grappling with its own horrors of war.
A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy
Dr. Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018, is the chief physician of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, eastern Congo. The hospital has become a sanctuary for victims of sexual violence, providing medical and psychological treatment to those who have suffered brutal injuries. Dr. Mukwege’s tireless efforts have made him a global authority on treating sexual violence in conflict zones.
Ukraine Seeks Help from Congo’s Experience
In April 2022, Dr. Mukwege was invited to Ukraine, where he shared his expertise with Ukrainian healthcare professionals. A few months later, his foundation signed a partnership agreement with Ukraine to anchor holistic approaches to treating victims of sexual violence in the Ukrainian health system. This comprehensive approach includes medical interventions, trauma treatment, legal, and economic support for victims of violence.
Training Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals
Under the partnership, experts from Panzi Hospital have been training Ukrainian healthcare professionals, including first responders, paramedics, psychologists, and those who answer emergency calls. The training focuses on stress management and self-care, as well as specialized trauma treatment methods. Ukrainian psychologists, in particular, were initially overwhelmed by the horror stories shared by victims of violence, but Dr. Mukwege’s foundation has provided them with the tools to cope with the trauma.
The Horror of Sexual Violence in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has documented over 300 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian military personnel against Ukrainians. The true number of undocumented acts of sexual violence is likely to be significantly higher. Human rights lawyer Tamila Bespala, who supports and advises people who lived in areas temporarily occupied by Russia, notes that many victims are only now speaking about the sexual violence they suffered.
The War’s Devastating Impact on Ukrainian Society
The war has also led to an increase in domestic violence in Ukraine. Deputy Interior Minister Katerina Pavlichenko attributes this surge to various factors, including the return of veterans from the front. The conflict has taken a devastating toll on Ukrainian society, highlighting the urgent need for specialized care and support for victims of sexual violence.
Dr. Mukwege’s Message of Hope
Dr. Mukwege’s efforts in Ukraine are a beacon of hope in a region ravaged by war and violence. His partnership with Ukraine signals that even in the darkest of times, there is a way forward. By sharing his expertise and experience, Dr. Mukwege is helping Ukraine build a comprehensive system to support victims of sexual violence, providing them with the care and dignity they deserve.
Conclusion
Dr. Denis Mukwege’s remarkable journey from the Congo to Ukraine serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of sexualized war violence. His tireless advocacy and expertise have inspired hope in some of the darkest corners of the world. As Ukraine navigates its own path to healing and recovery, Dr. Mukwege’s presence is a testament to the power of international cooperation and the importance of supporting those who have suffered the unimaginable.
Keywords: Denis Mukwege, Congo, Ukraine, sexualized war violence, Panzi Hospital, Nobel Peace Prize, trauma treatment, healthcare professionals, stress management, self-care, human rights, domestic violence.