Contents
Denis Mukwege
Treating survivors of sexual violence and demanding accountability for its use in war.
Panzi Hospital · Nobel Peace Prize 2018
- Born
- 1 March 1955
- Birthplace
- Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
More people
Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege is a Congolese gynaecologist and founder of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. He shared the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize with Nadia Murad.
Early life
Pastor’s son
Accompanied his father on visits to sick people, an experience that helped draw him towards medicine.
Medical training
Studied medicine in Burundi and specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology in France.
Career
- 1989
Lemera Hospital
Returned to work in eastern Congo, where conflict later destroyed the hospital.
- 1999
Panzi Hospital
Founded a hospital in Bukavu that became known for treating survivors of sexual violence.
- 2012–2013
Attack and return
Survived an assassination attempt, left the country briefly and returned to his work.
- 2018
Nobel Peace Prize
Shared recognition for confronting sexual violence in conflict.
Contributions
Panzi Hospital
Provided specialist treatment for severe injuries and other medical needs.
Holistic support
Combined medical care with psychological, legal and socioeconomic assistance.
Nobel lecture
Called for action against impunity and support for survivors.
Beyond medicine
Public advocacy
Has challenged political leaders and armed groups over violence and impunity in Congo.
2023 election
Ran as a candidate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s presidential election.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize biography and award ↗Photo: Foreign and Commonwealth Office. CC BY 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
