Gender-Based Violence and Rape

Eastern Congo has in the past been dubbed the rape capital of the world with thousands of documented rapes per year and rape being used as a weapon of war. After years of little progress in the battle against gender-based violence, there is now an increasing recognition of women’s rights and concerted efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. Congolese Dr. Denis Mukwege won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work at Bukavu’s Panzi hospital where he has treated thousands of women for fistulas and other rape-related injuries.