DR Congo Gov’t Not Doing Enough To Eradicate Sexual Violence – Peace Nobelist
Dr Denis Mukwege says there is sometimes a lack of political will by the government and poor financial commitment to fight and eradicate sexual violence.
Dr Denis Mukwege, Democratic Republic of Congo Nobel Peace Prize winner, has lamented the government’s lack of the political will to eradicate sexual violence during conflicts.
The Nobel laureate was speaking on Sunday, June 19, during the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence During Times of Conflict celebration.
“Rape and sexual violence are used in all contemporary conflicts throughout the world, such as the current situation in Ukraine,” Dr Mukwege said.
Dr Mukwege, who is a gynaecologist, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his actions favouring women who are victims of rape used as an arm of war.
“We notice with a shock that there is sometimes a lack of political will, that the financial means are insufficient,” he added.
Dr Mukwege argued that the “culture of impunity from which the authors and instigators of these acts benefit remains the norm and not the exception.”
“We call on the new community of states and the financial sponsors to mobilise human and financial means to combat the consequences of sexual violence committed during conflicts and to redouble efforts to prevent the repetition of these crimes.”
According to him, “it is also fundamental to ensure the promotion of equality between women and men and the active participation of women in politics”.
“Those who tolerate or order the transformation of the bodies of women and young girls, as well as men and young boys into battlefields, must be brought before the international community.”
“They must be banned from travelling and being issued visas, and their financial resources must be frozen without further delay.”
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