Democratic Republic of Congo
We risk our lives for peace
I was born in Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country fraught with security challenges and an unstable…
The ‘rape capital of the world’? We women in Congo don’t see it that way
“We do not see ourselves as the “rape capital of the world”. Instead, I agree with Liberia’s Nobel Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, who called my…
After decades of war, help brave Congolese women lay groundwork for peace
The Congolese Women’s Forum for Peace and Security in Kinshasa, which brought together 65 women from all 26 provinces in the DRC, was coordinated by…
Support Congolese women peacemakers
65 Congolese women have come together for the first time to plan a more peaceful future for the DRC but need funding to move forward. Watch our video with Meryl Streep, Leymah Gbowee, Lena Dunham, Margot Wallström, Dr. Denis Mukwege, Navi Pillay and Gloria Steinem.
Dr. Mukwege’s statement on June 19, International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
Statement of Dr. Denis Mukwege on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict Bukavu (19 June 2017) –…
Jane Fonda introduces the work of Synergie des Femmes
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Dr. Denis Mukwege highlighted in Time magazine article
“Heroes often come from the most unlikely of places. Photographer Platon, known for his unflinching close-up portraits of presidents, dictators and other powerful icons of our era, found his in the surgical suites and recovery rooms of a small-town hospital in one of the most traumatized nations on earth, the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Women find refuge from sexual violence
Thanks to generous donations from Donor Direct Action supporters, our partner Synergie des Femmes has opened a new women’s shelter in Goma, in the Democratic…
Synergie opens new women’s shelter in DRC
Thanks to generous donations from Donor Direct Action supporters, our partner Synergie des Femmes pour les Victimes des Violences has opened this new women’s shelter in…
Dr. Denis Mukwege visits New York to promote democracy in DRC
“Every day women and girls who have been raped and physically abused in horrendous ways come to my hospital for help,” says Dr. Denis Mukwege. “Many are girls under 10 years old.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visits Panzi Hospital
Noting that important advances have been made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo relating to impunity for sexual violence, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, warned of increased human rights violations as tensions rise in advance of forthcoming elections.
At Panzi hospital, the High Commissioner met with women survivors of sexual violence and with Dr. Denis Mukwege who has treated more than 40,000 victims.
“Existing health systems are failing our women and girls,” says Dr. Denis Mukwege
Obstetric fistula, all too common in the DRC yet virtually eradicated in the U.S. and Europe more than a hundred years ago, is an indication that existing health systems are failing women and girls, says the Founder and Medical Director of the Panzi Hospital and Foundations, Dr. Denis Mukwege.