### Denis Mukwege and the urgency to denounce sexual violence in time of war
Dr. Denis Mukwege, a laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, recently denounced the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war during a hit speech in the European Assembly in Strasbourg. By enlightening the dramatic situation of the North Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mukwege has brought alarming statistics in the light: around 10,000 cases of sexual violence, among which 30 to 35 % concern children. These data ask an essential question on the state of human rights in a region already marked by persistent armed conflicts.
Mukwege’s commitment, which founded Panzi hospital in Bukavu, reflects a medical and humanitarian response to this crisis. For more than two decades, he has held women victims of sexual violence in a context where armed groups have been fighting for the control of the immense mineral riches of the country. His voice, recognized internationally, questions not only the world community, but also the political leaders installed in power in the DRC.
### Systematic violence: causes and consequences
Sexual violence in wartime is not a new phenomenon, but it has particularly disturbing dimensions in the DRC. In an environment where the struggle for power and resources leads to permanent conflicts, the use of sexual violence appears as a strategy of intimidation and destabilization. This tactical choice raises questions: how can we judge that attacking children exceeds the limits of human acceptability? What are the social and political mechanisms that allow such cruelty?
The consequences of these violence are multifactorial and devastating. On an individual level, the victims suffer from lasting physical and psychological trauma. Collectively, these acts undermine confidence in communities, aggravate social divisions and compromise the very fabric of Congolese society. In addition, they exacerbate the problems of healthy governance and hamper social and economic development.
### A call to action: to sustainable solutions
Mukwege also called for the need to strengthen peace negotiations with rebel groups, while pleading for increased support from the international community. His request raises the crucial question of the effectiveness of external interventions in complex interior contexts. How can international support be oriented to not only respond to humanitarian emergency, but also tackle the structural roots of violence?
Human rights, justice and access to medical care should be at the heart of any peace initiative. Educational programs targeting young people, promoting women’s rights and gender equality, can play a vital preventive role. In parallel, increased attention to transitional justice could offer victims a way to reconquer their dignity, while contributing to social reconstruction.
### Conclusion
The situation in the DRC, highlighted by Denis Mukwege, is a call for collective responsibility. Although the documentary maker, activists and international organizations are trying to raise public awareness of this crisis, a real change will not be able to take place without a concerted and sustainable commitment from local and international actors. Mukwege’s speech in Strasbourg is an opportunity to think about how we, as a societies, can respond not only to immediate suffering, but also lay the foundations for a fairer and peaceful future for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The questions raised must invite not only to empathy, but also to thoughtful and coordinated action. How to transform this compassion into lasting changes?