Nobel Peace Prize 2018

05 October 2018

The Socialist International Women (SIW) would like to warmly congratulate the Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege and Yazidi campaigner Nadia Murad on winning the 2018 Nobel peace prize for their work on combating sexual violence.

Doctor Mukwege is a gynaecologist who has treated thousands of rape victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ms Murad, an Iraqi Yazidi, is a survivor of sexual slavery by Isis in Iraq.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said: “They have both put their own personal security at risk by courageously combatting war crimes and securing justice for victims” and they had both “helped to give greater visibility to war-time sexual violence”.

Rape and sexual violence against women and girls has been used as a weapon of war to destroy families and communities, ethnic populations, and to accomplish genocide. It is a subject that is mostly overlooked, rarely mentioned in the media. Awarding Dr Mukwege and Ms Murad helps raise awareness of the widespread war crimes of sexual violence that continue to this very day and will continue to happen until the perpetrators are truly accountable and prosecuted.

In 2008 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1820 (2008), which determined that the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict constitutes both a war crime and a threat to international peace and security.

SIW has discussed this topic at many of its events over the years and has encouraged its members to pass laws/policies in their respective countries to help protect victims of sexual violence in wars.

We truly welcome this year’s prize and once again, congratulate Dr Mukwege and Ms Murad on receiving this important and prestigious award. SIW wishes you both continued success. Your work and achievements are an inspiration to us all.

 

_____________