Abuja – “The Man Who Mends Women: The Wrath of Hippocrates”, a film that seek protection for women against sexual violence was on Wednesday night screened in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the film, presented by the European Union (EU) was based on a true life story of a Congolese Women right activist, Dr Denis Mukwege.
The film produced by Christine Pereaux, was part of his endless struggle to stop sexual violence as a weapon of war and to advocate that offenders be brought to justice.
NAN also reports that Dr Denis Mukwege is a world-renowned gynecologist, Founder and Medical Director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
He is internationally known as “The Man Who Mends Thousands of Women” who have been raped during the 20 years of conflicts in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He specialises in the treatment of women who have been gang-raped by rebel forces since the Second Congo War.
Mukwege has become the world’s leading expert on how to repair the internal physical damage caused by gang rape.
According to the film, even patients who cannot afford post-rape medical care are treated free of charge charge at Panzi Hospital.
The hospital does not only treat survivors with physical wounds, but also provides legal and psycho-social services to its patients.
In 2014, Mukwege was awarded the European Union’s Sakharov Prize and in 2013, he received his first of three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
On May 28, 2015, Dr Mukwege was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law by Harvard University.
In his remark, Mr Michel Arrion, the Head of European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the forum was part of the EU global campaign for women rights.
“Everybody must be involved in the protection of women, because an attack on them is an attack on humanity.
“We must also protect individuals working on the front lines helping survivors of mass atrocities and prosecute perpetrators of these mass crimes,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that Diplomats and representatives of ECOWAS and other local and foreign Non Government Organisations were present at the event. (NAN)
