Page 33 - RA2019 FONDATION PIERRE FABRE GB

These women get back WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW with Dr Mukwege filmed at Panzi Hospital. DR DENIS MUKWEGE Gynaecological surgeon, founder of the Panzi Hospital, a referral institution in the DRC, winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize What makes the holistic treatment concept you have implemented at the Panzi Hospital and, more recently, in Bulenga, so strong? When we started treating women who were wartime rape victims, we realised that medical care was not enough. We added psychological support, then socio- economic support and, finally, legal aid so that they could seek justice. It is through addressing these four key areas that these women can regain the dignity they have lost. The Foundation helped us replicate this concept in Bulenga in 2018, with equally hopeful results: these women get back on their feet, return to work or their activities and successfully reintegrate into their community. What support did the Fondation Pierre Fabre’s provide for the Bulenga hospital programme? Its support made it possible to offer free treatment to women who have been victims of sexual violence, but also those who are victims of gender-based violence. Further, the Foundation provided support to finance expenses related to the hospital’s water and electricity supply. Can you tell us about how the project has been replicated in the Central African Republic? The Central African Republic is in the same situation as the DRC, where rape is used as a weapon of war. The victims’ suffering is universal, as is the model we’ve developed. So we will implement a South-South skills transfer: Congolese staff will be temporarily assigned to Bangui and our Central African colleagues will come train at the Panzi Hospital. Do you think societies are moving in the right direction? Gender-based violence is now given greater attention by institutions and women are being better heard. Another encouraging sign was that the #MeToo movement led to people feeling freer to speak about the subject and that, in 2019, the issue of gender equality was on the G7 agenda for the first time. on their feet, return to work or their activities and successfully reintegrate into their community. GOOD TO KNOW Gender-based violence Gender-based violence covers wartime rape, sexual assault, violations of physical and psychological integrity and pathologies directly resulting from the state of being a woman in very vulnerable circumstances and in the absence of access to treatment (prolapse, incontinence, etc.). Bulenga Rural Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo, for treating women who are victims of sexual violence. Fondation Pierre Fabre – 33