Denis Mukwege

Congolese gynecologist and Nobel laureate combating sexual violence in war zones

Dr. Denis Mukwege (b. 1955) is a Congolese surgeon who has dedicated his life to treating survivors of wartime sexual violence. Through his Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, he has performed reconstructive surgery on over 50,000 women, earning the nickname 'The Man Who Mends Women.' His work exposes the use of rape as a weapon of war—a taboo subject in global discourse.

Mukwege's activism extends beyond medicine. He publicly condemned the Congolese government and militias for perpetuating violence, surviving an assassination attempt in 2012. Awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, he remains a vocal advocate for UN interventions in conflict zones.

His memoir, Plaidoyer pour la vie (2016), and the documentary The Man Who Mends Women (2015) amplify survivors' voices. By turning personal trauma into political action, Mukwege redefines healthcare as a tool for justice and empowerment.