Statement on Nobel Peace Prize Winners Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad

The Nobel Committee made two wonderful choices today in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for their profound and courageous advocacy on behalf of victims of sexual violence.

Dr. Mukwege is well-known to anti-violence against women activists around the world. His Panzi Hospital has given life and dignity back to tens of thousands of women for almost 20 years. Few have done more to sound the alarm about the brutality of sexual violence and rape as a weapon of war. Fewer still have dedicated their lives to the repair and healing of women, physical and emotional. It is hard to imagine a more deserving recipient.

Like so many survivors of sexual violence, Nadia Murad came to her activism through the worst possible way. After her brothers were murdered she was captured and sold into sexual slavery by the Islamic State. Thousands of Yazidi women experienced the same fate, and through Nadia’s courage and voice, the world knows their stories. She has shown both the horror men’s violence against women and the power of resilience.

At FUTURES, we are proud to stand with Dr. Mukwege and Nadia Murad and use our voices to amplify theirs. They are true heroes and the most worthy recipients of the world’s highest honor.

Esta Soler
President and Founder
Futures Without Violence