The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Tue, July 5, 2022 | 08:58
Congolese gynecologist wins Seoul Peace Prize
Posted : 2016-09-02 17:02
Updated : 2016-09-02 17:49
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege
By Lee Kyung-min

Denis Mukwege, a Congolese doctor, has won the 13th Seoul Peace Prize for his efforts in helping some 48,500 woman and child rape victims during the civil war in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), the prize organizers said, Friday.

"He contributed to human rights improvement for women and children by treating the victims of the unethical war where rape was used as a means of war," the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation said.

"He also demonstrated bravery by devoting himself to raising international awareness about the situation to end the civil war."

Mukwege, 61, founded Panzi Hospital in DR Congo in 1999 amid the armed conflict in his country that left hundreds of thousands of people brutally murdered, raped, or displaced.

Alongside setting up the hospital, he established Maison Dorcas, a long-term rehabilitation program for rape victims.

Under the program, victims are offered treatment, consultation, job training, as well as lessons in writing, reading and basic math. It also offers them enough small rooms where up to 180 people can stay for about three months.

The need to set up the "dormitory" came after he realized that about 60 percent of the rape victims could not go back home due to the rejection they'd face from family members, especially from husbands and male relatives.

According to the foundation, Mukwege said that what is more important than offering the victims medical treatment is to help them restore their dignity so they can realize that what happened was not their fault.

Further, in a more fundamental approach to solve the atrocious situation, he gave a speech at the United Nations in September 2012, condemning the DP Congo government and UN members for not seeking prompt measures to put an end to the war.

A month after the speech, he almost lost his life as an armed man broke into his house and tried to kill him, after which he moved to France with his family.

However, in January 2013, he returned to his home country, following the spike in numbers of patients awaiting his help in Panzi Hospital.

The 2008 United Nations Human Rights Prize winner was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was awarded the European Union's Sakharov Prize in 2014, and an honorary Doctor of Laws by Harvard University last year.

The award ceremony for the Seoul Peace Prize will be held on Oct. 6 in Seoul. Mukwege will be given a plaque and $200,000 in prize money.

 
LG
  • Typhoon Aere forecast to bring extended heatwave
  • [ANALYSIS] Korean exporters start rethinking 'China strategy'
  • Banks favor 'MZ generation' celebrities for marketing in digital era
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Repatriation puts fear in eyes of all North Koreans,' rights expert says
  • 'Korea, Japan should restore visa waiver program'
  • KT drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' popular on Netflix
  • Pakistan unveils Buddhist heritage in documentary
  • Georgian wine ready to captivate Korean market
  • Photo of Yoon staring at blank computer screen raises eyebrows
  • 'Global firms look to Korea for inspiration and trends': Kantar CCO
  • Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN
  • Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after becoming a mom Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after becoming a mom
  • BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group
  • [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea
  • Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group