The Power of Women


This week, instead of writing a blog, I will be reading the book by Dr. Denis Mukwege, The Power of Women[1]. Dr. Mukwege is a person I have long admired and respected for his life of service to humanity and particularly for his advocacy of women’s rights. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the gynecologist has a message to the world about the suffering of women in his native, war-torn torn country, the  Democratic Republic of Congo. But his perspective encompasses the whole world.

The Power of Women is a book I would like to recommend to all who are opposed to violence and abuse in general, but in particular against women. I am sure that it will make a deep impact on your thinking and attitudes. It is not only the story of Dr. Mukwge's own life, but it shows the need for maternal health care in one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman. He also shows how strong woman are in spite of everything they are subjected to as a result of women being considered of lesser worth than men due to patriarchy.

I would just like to quote a few sentences from the introduction written Dr. Mukwege in the first pages of the book:

“My role has always been to amplify the voices of other whose marginalization denies them opportunities to tell their stories. I stand at their side, never in front...

This book is a tribute to the power of all women, and in particular those who have raised, educated, and inspired me...

My experience has taught me that the root causes of sexual violence, and its consequences, are the same everywhere. As always, the differences between us in terms of race, nationality, language, and culture are far less significant than what we have in common.

The fight against sexual violence begins with women and men speaking out. One in three women worldwide has experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in her life, according to UN Women...

Fortunately, women are rending the veil of silence around this issue in ever greater numbers, thanks to decades of work from feminist groups and recently the groundbreaking #MeToo movement...

Women cannot solve the problem of sexual violence on their own; men must be part of the solution...

Men continue to retain an overwhelming grip on political power in all countries, not just through the presidencies, prime ministers’ offices, and parliaments of the world that set our laws. Their influence extends to the apex of religious bodies and to community-level organizations that often have a more powerful influence on personal behavior and attitudes than distant national leaders...

To reduce sexual violence, we need action and commitment all the way down the pyramid of power in our societies, from the top to the very bottom...

Change must come from the top in order to energize and influence those at the bottom. As I have stated repeatedly, sexual violence is a result of the gender hierarchy that holds male lives to be superior to female ones. We must acknowledge the role of religion in enforcing male dominance and female submissiveness.

Together we can make the twenty-first century a more equal, fairer, and safer century for all of humanity.”

Thankyou, Dr. Mukwege for all you are doing to make the world a better place!

Documentary reports about Dr. Mukwege as well as the work of  the Germany Medical Missionary Society (DIFÄM) to support his work at Panzi Hospital are available on youtube:
Fighting sexual violence in the Congo:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqpa5s8FEds
Nobel Peace Prize lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYOiqbjrZYQ

 


Screenshot from  a documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqpa5s8FEds

 


[1] Mukwege, Denis, The Power of Women: A Doctor's Journey of Hope and Healing, Flatiron Books: An Oprah Book

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