The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation aims to end rape as a weapon of war

Our theory of change

Rape and sexual violence are widely used as weapons of war.

Learn how we fight the violence

In wars around the world, armies and rebel groups use systematic rape to terrorize and destroy individuals and societies.

Together with the world-renowned Congolese doctor and activist Denis Mukwege, we work to end war-time sexual violence and support survivors.

Our projects

Through our work, we address the root causes of war-time sexual violence and make a difference for survivors worldwide.

Connect survivors in a movement

Influence international politics

Holistic care for survivors worldwide

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News and Blogs

5

Oct

Statement by Dr Denis Mukwege on the Nobel Peace Prize 2018

7

Sep

Advocacy training for Congolese sexual violence survivor network

16

Aug

Sexual violence survivors from around the world pay tribute to Korean ‘comfort women’

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Important dates

28

Nov

From words to action: Repairing the wounds of wartime sexual violence

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Rape as a weapon of war

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About us

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation is an international human rights organization set up with the objective to end sexual violence in wars. Together with the world-renowned Congolese doctor and activist Denis Mukwege, we work to prevent atrocities and support programs for survivors.

Contact us

Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation
Laan van Meerdervoort 70
2517 AN The Hague
The Netherlands

info@mukwegefoundation.org

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Our theory of change

Rape and other types of sexual violence are widely used as a strategy of war in DRC, but also in other conflict settings. How do we stop this? Our theory of change maps out the strategies that we believe will bring us there – from our mission to end this problem to our strategies to how you can get involved.

Rape is being used as a weapon of war.

Rape as a weapon of war has a devastating impact for individuals and communities. If not addressed and punished, it fuels continued cycles of violence. What’s more, even when the conflicts end, the war on women does not. Witnessing years of atrocities, children and young adults learn that sexual violence is the norm. This provides fertile ground for ‘civilian rape’ and other types of gender-based violence for generations to come. While the conflict may have ended the war on women continues.

This happens because of a number of complex causes.

Conflict and lawlessness, combined with the presence of armed groups and state military forces create a heady concoction of power and impunity. Rigid gender norms that define masculinity in terms of dominance and ascribe women’s status as inferior status to that of men, create a fertile ground for rape as a weapon of war. Furthermore due limited access to justice and other services, as well as the stigma associated with rape, victims often do not speak out. This contributes to the collective silence around sexual violence. The silence around rape as a weapon of war prevents victims from accessing services that they are entitled to, their voices go unheard and violence continues unabated. This leads to further normalisation of sexual violence and other types of gender-based violence and deepens gender inequality even further.

We focus on three strategies to bring about change:

Holistic healing services

Break the silence. Make quality holistic services available as a standard practice. A holistic approach helps victims of rape to heal physically and emotionally as well as gives them the legal and social support to recover from the devastation of rape as a weapon of war.

Outcomes:

Communities are aware of the available services and victims of their RIGHT to quality care

Victims have increased access to safe, interconnected quality services: medical and psychological care, legal aid, and socio-economic support.

Increased commitment to set up one stop centers, promoting a holistic healing model.

Victims will feel confident in accessing services, shame and blame will be with the perpetrators.

Having accessed services, victims become survivors. They have better self-esteem, are successfully reintegrated into society, thereby standing up for themselves and others and helping to bring about changes in gender norms and challenging sexual violence.

Justice

We need to end impunity by putting accountability mechanisms in place to punish and prosecute perpetrators. This gives women the confidence to reintegrate in the society and feel less isolated and wronged. It also deters perpetrators and challenges the climate of impunity in society thereby making steps towards reducing social acceptability of sexual violence against women.

Outcomes:

National laws reflect international human rights standards

Governments allocate resources to establish or reinforce accountability systems

Strengthened civil society organizations holding duty bearers accountable

Sanctions against perpetrators are in place – both those who orchestrate and oversee the crimes, and the individual perpetrators.

Judicial and law enforcement procedures are survivor friendly. They are not stigmatized, shamed and blamed and their safety is protected.

Perpetrators are held accountable

Gender equality

In societies where there is a strong patriarchal standard, women are seen as being owned by men, while a man’s masculinity is defined by power and dominance. Only when these rigid gender norms are questioned and changed for the better, can sexual violence as the norm be challenged.

Outcomes:

Communities are aware of gender norms that harm both men and women in society
Women have a more equal position and therefore can contribute more equally in society.

Young people make decisions about sexual relationship based on consensus

Alternative economic, social roles for girls and women exist and are valued

Survivors of sexual violence are not stigmatized but enjoy greater support from their partners, peers and relatives.

To realize our vision.

Our vision is a world where power relationships between women and men, girls and boys are equal. Where sexual violence, including rape as a weapon of war, is eliminated.

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