Today’s Heroes: The "Last Girl" and the Man Who Mends Women
Brett Kavanaugh’s controversial confirmation to the Supreme Court has been a sour reminder of the damaging, chronic impact that sexual assault has on survivors. For those who are haunted by their own experiences, the force of the #MeToo movement at times may seem inescapable. As refreshing as it is to find solidarity, hearing the regrettably relatable narratives demands a great degree of emotional bandwidth. Fortunately, the world has offered a more positive story to help us combat our disgust, one that features two individuals who are committed to ending sexual violence: Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad.
Though headlines relating to Kavanaugh have dominated the newscycle for weeks, few outlets have dedicated more than a few moments to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winners. Both Mukwege and Murad were honored for their work towards ending sexual violence in war and armed conflict. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, the organizing body that picks the winners, could not have selected more appropriately. Their decision serves as a reminder of the unfortunate juxtaposition of #MeToo, that sexual violence is as devastating as it is common.
Nadia Murad
At twenty-four years old, Nadia has stood in front of the world and made a brave confession: “this terrible thing happened to me.” For many survivors, this action seems impossible. After having been trafficked as a sex slave by ISIS, perhaps there is little left to fear. Murad was in high school with dreams of becoming a history teacher or makeup artist when her hometown of Kocho (Kojo) was invaded in August 2014.
Located in Iraq’s Nineveh Province, the village was home to a large Yazidi population. Due to the population practicing a religion with pre-Islamic roots, ISIS launched a genocide in which Murad was captured. They murdered hundreds of men, as well as older women who they deemed unsuitable for sexual enslavement. Included in these deaths were those of Murad’s mother and six brothers. She was beaten and raped everyday by guards in a crisis barely acknowledged by the global population. Eventually, Nadia was able to escape ISIS territory with the help of a Muslim family before traveling to Germany as a refugee.
In 2016 she spoke to the United Nations General Assembly about the trauma she experienced at the hands of ISIS. Since then she has continued to share her story, campaigning around the world for an end of sexual violence as a weapon of war. She also penned her story in a memoir called The Last Girl, which became a New York Times best seller. Murad has won a myriad of additional accolades, including being named to the list of “Most Influential People” by Time magazine and receiving the Shakarov Prize of the European Union parliament in 2016.
Denis Mukwege
Mukwege’s life has been exemplary of how to be an effective ally to women. Given the lack of specialized care in his home country of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mukwege witnessed many women suffer from birth complications and other gynecological problems. After changing his focus in medicine from pediatrics to gynecology and obstetrics, Mukwege founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, a large city in the country’s eastern region. At this time, political turmoil held the region in a near-constant state of warfare. The hospital gained recognition for its treatment of women who survived sexual violence during the conflict. He called attention to the use of rape and genital mutilation as acts of warfare after having completed reconstructive surgery and other operations on many of his patients.
In 2012, Dr. Mukwege spoke the the United Nations about the systemic rape in his home country, citing its role in military violence. He was also critical of the Congolese government and other countries, for their inaction to end the violent conflict. Just weeks after his powerful address, he survived an assassination attempt at his home. Following the attack he left the country with his family, eventually returning to resume his work in 2013. Similar to Murad, he had gained worldwide acclaim for his work before being named a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, winning awards such as the UN Human Rights Prize and the “Champion for Peace Award” of Women for Women International, among many others.
In moments where the world seems bleak, it is important to remember that the victories of Nadia Murad and Denise Mukwege are victories for all of society. Although sexual violence against women (and other marginalized groups) will not disappear overnight, their incredible work is helping to spread awareness and combat some of the most heinous crimes. In light of their recent achievement, we must all do something to support survivors, even if it may not appear to be making a substantial impact.
By definition, sexual violence is broad -- spanning from unwanted touching to militarized rape. These actions may seem incomparable, but they are both evils that grow from the same root and reinforce systems of oppression and gender inequality. Space exists in our society to advocate against assault, abuse, and rape culture even at what seems to be the lowest levels. After all, how can we as a society offer dignity to survivors of the more violent injustices if we are not equipped to address the more “innocuous” forms of assault?
Activism often takes the form of grassroots movements for a reason, starting at the bottom before blossoming into meaningful conversation or action. Murad’s home in Iraq and Mukwege’s hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may not be accessible to everyone, but action can also begin in our own communities. Learning the signs of domestic violence, listening when a romantic prospect says “no,” or calling-out a friend on “locker room” talk may seem inconsequential compared to other atrocities against women around the world, but even these small steps may just keep one person from experiencing preventable and unnecessary pain.
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