Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation

🌍 We're excited to share that our Holistic Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict Handbook is now available in 5 languages: English, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Arabic! We developed the handbook with Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Panzi Foundation DRC. It is designed to guide organisations to provide comprehensive care to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The handbook highlights Panzi's One-Stop Centre approach, which aims to address the full spectrum of survivors' needs for recovery and healing. The One-Stop Centre includes four pillars of support: • Medical care • Psychological care • Legal assistance • Socio-economic reintegration Whether you're a health professional, policy maker, researcher, or simply interested in learning more, this resource is invaluable for anyone interested in care for CRSV survivors. 🔗 Download the handbook in any of the 5 languages here: https://lnkd.in/eMs77qUA #endcrsv #sexualviolence #mukwegefoundation #holisticcare

💬 “I’ve formed new friendships here, and I no longer feel lost or alone. This workshop has changed how I view my place in this fight,” shares a survivor from Myanmar. The trauma resulting from the sexual violence, topped by the security risks that survivors from Myanmar faced after migrating to Thailand, often left them living in isolation, away from the support that they needed. To change this, our VOICE team facilitated a workshop for survivors residing in Mae Sot, Thailand. During the workshop, participants had a safe space to share their experiences. 💬“Initially, I was hesitant to join, but now I feel confident and encouraged after spending the day with such a strong network of people,” adds another participant. The group worked together to strengthen resilience and peer learning and develop clear network strategies to support more Myanmar women living in Thailand affected by conflict-related sexual violence. They advocate for Myanmar survivors’ rights and, in the future, play a key role in decisions related to the documentation of conflict-related sexual violence so that their lived experiences and voices are heard. We congratulate Myanmar survivors for taking this important step in their network building, and many thanks to our co-organisers, the New Myanmar Foundation. At the Mukwege Foundation, we prioritize creating safe spaces where survivors of sexual violence can lead, define their own strategies, and address violence and stigma. Through our VOICE pillar, we promote survivor autonomy by offering mentoring, coaching, peer learning, and skills development. Join us in amplifying these voices. Visit our VOICE programme here: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gG5Jba5B #mukwegefoundation #crsv #endcrsv #sexualviolence #thailand #myanmar #advocacy

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG/SVC). This anniversary is not just a reflection on the past, but a call to action for the future. Three SEMA members, Mwamini (DRC), Lyudmila (Ukraine) and Myriam (CAR), as well as our Senior Legal and Policy Advisor for the Red Line Initiative, Erin Farrell Rosenberg and Dr Denis Mukwege (remotely), will participate in the commemorative event organised by the SRSG’s Office at the United Nations Headquarters. 📅 What’s happening today: • SEMA members will speak at the “Survivors’ Hearing,” where survivors of sexual violence from various conflicts will share their powerful experiences. Their voices will call on States to take concrete steps in endorsing the Survivors’ Call to Action, urging for stronger prevention, response, and reparative measures for victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).   • SEMA member Mwamini coordinates the Mouvement des Survivant.e.s de Violences Sexuelles in the Democratic Republic of Congo. • Lyudmila serves as the Director of Communications of the survivor network SEMA Ukraine. • Myriam is the Secretary General of the Mouvement des Survivant.e.s en Centrafrique (MOSUCA). We thank the SRSG’s Office for organizing this event, creating a space where policy-makers, practitioners, activists, survivors, and academics can work together to end CRSV. Stand with survivors. Join us in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence. #mukwegefoundation #stopsexualviolence #endcrsv #unitednations #unaction #endrapeinwar

🌐 We're thrilled to attend the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town this week.   On Wednesday 23rd, we’ll present “Rising from Silence to Strength: The Crucial Role of Survivor Activism in Responding to and Combating Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).” 📍 Join us for this interactive panel where we’ll discuss:  • Survivor-centred, holistic responses to CRSV.  • How survivor-led initiatives are transforming communities and breaking the cycle of violence.  • Experiences and best practices from SEMA and MOSUCA members driving change locally and globally.    We’re proud to present this panel alongside SEMA members Esperande, co-founder and administrator of the Phephisa Survivor Network, and Léa, representative of Mouvement des Survivant.e.s de Violences Sexuelles en Centrafrique (MOSUCA). SEMA is the Global Network of Victims and Survivors committed to ending sexual violence used as a weapon of war.   Are you attending the #SVRI Forum? Send us a message, and let's meet. #svri #sgbv #mukwegefoundation #sexualviolence #activism #crsv

Watch the press conference held in Kyiv this week. We organised a learning exchange visit for a delegation from Ukraine to Panzi Hospital and Foundation. For four days, the delegation visited the different institutions that make up the Panzi One-Stop Centre, drawing inspiration from and learning more about the holistic care model for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). 💡 The team included several representatives of the Ukrainian government, survivor activists from the Ukrainian survivor network SEMA Ukraine, and civil society organisations.  ⏩ In this press conference, they share key results from the visit and insights on applying a globally recognised care model to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine.   https://lnkd.in/gkuctqrt #sexualviolence #humanrights #CRSV #survivorcare #ukraine #ngo 

Conflict-related sexual violence violates our shared humanity and cannot be accepted as an inevitable consequence of war. We call on you to break this cycle of violence and take action now.      Here are 3 ways you can support survivors:    • Support survivors in rebuilding their lives. Your donation gives front-line support to survivors of sexual violence around the world and helps to heal bodies, minds, families, and communities. 🎗️ Donate now via this link. https://lnkd.in/dDVepWTF    • Break the silence. By starting a fundraising activity, you can show survivors they are not alone. Mobilise your community or network. Learn how to do it here 💪 . https://lnkd.in/gf6Randa  • Sign the survivors’ Call to Action. Survivors demand governments to take concrete actions to prevent, respond to, and repair the grave harms sexual violence causes. Sign up here ✍️  https://lnkd.in/ezaGwg4E Together, we can fight for a world where sexual violence used as a weapon of war is no longer tolerated. #mukwegefoundation #endsexualviolence #supportsurvivors 

Our Director, Katrien Coppens, recently participated in the conference "Victims and International Criminal Justice: Repair, Prevent, Remember," organised by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in collaboration with the Ministère des Affaires étrangères français on September 30. The discussions explored how criminal justice processes can be framed with a restorative lens, focusing on mechanisms that empower survivors and enhance their sense of justice. Our director stressed the importance of survivor-centred approaches in addressing these critical issues, highlighting the work of SEMA, the Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence, and their vital role in influencing justice and reparations measures. To learn more about SEMA's pivotal role in justice and reparations, read the Survivors' Call to Action 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ezaGwg4E Photo credits: Nicolo Revelli Beaumont /SIPA #mukwegefoundation #internationallaw #war #conflicts  

Read the “Core State Obligations for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Overview of International Law.” At the Mukwege Foundation, we believe that the use of sexual violence in conflict can be prevented and must be prioritised as wholly unacceptable. To break the cycle of violence and impunity, we launched the Red Line Initiative in close collaboration with SEMA, the Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence. This Overview is a product of the Mukwege Foundation’s Red Line Initiative. It outlines over 20 core States’ legal obligations relevant to Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) across the following areas: - Prevention  - Justice and accountability  - Humanitarian response   - Reparations Are you interested in learning more about CRSV across those four areas? You can download the Overview via this link 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eSvqfXx2  

In a significant step towards the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria, our VOICE team supported the launch of a new Nigerian Survivors’ Network: the Women and Children – Conflict Survivors Foundation (WCCSF). 💭 “I’m deeply inspired by the power of our Survivors Network to advocate for an end to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). It’s essential that every survivor has a voice and the strength to stand up for themselves and demand change. This is a cause I’m passionately committed to, and I’m honoured to be part of a network that is making a real difference,” said Fadimatu, a member of WCCSF and SEMA. Read more about this survivor-led network via the link below⬇️ https://lnkd.in/g7FEPpEh #mukwegefoundation #sgbv #nigeria #endcrsv

From September 23-27, the Mukwege Foundation facilitated a learning exchange at the Panzi One-Stop Centre in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, for Ethiopian medical professionals working in Tigray. We have learned that connecting professionals, non-specialists and activists with Panzi experts, creates a space for mutual learning and solidarity.  The conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, which continues to affect other regions in the country, has devastated the lives of thousands and destroyed health and infrastructure. Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war by all parties to the conflict. Survivors' needs for holistic care remain largely unmet.  We are encouraged by the commitment of our partners in Tigray to provide care for survivors and their children. This week's exchange highlighted the similarities between conflict-related sexual violence in DRC and Ethiopia. The Panzi team shared valuable lessons learned, best practices, challenges and encouragement with the Ethiopian delegation.  The Mukwege Foundation is committed to supporting survivors, professionals and non-specialists in their important work in Tigray and other conflict-affected areas in Ethiopia. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZwY5m5J #Mukwegefoundation #endcrsv #learningexchange