Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner, was honored by Lions Clubs International at its recent international convention held in Milan, Italy. During a July 9, 2019 ceremony attended by more than 12,000 Lions members from around the world, Dr. Mukwege accepted the Lions Humanitarian Award for his work advocating for and treating the survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other conflict zones globally.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Mukwege said, “All of us share the responsibility to respond in a timely manner to the needs of those whom society has failed to protect and to find solutions and funding to better address the consequences of sexual violence.” He concluded his remarks with an impassioned plea to Lions and the world, saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to call upon all men of goodwill in the world to join with women to support them in this fight for equality, for harmony and for dignity.”
Lions International President Gudrun Yngvadottir presented the award to Dr. Mukwege who received a standing ovation from the audience. President Yngvadottir said, “I am honored to present this award on behalf of the more than 1.4 million Lions clubs members around the world. Your work is changing lives, and we are proud to support you in your endeavors.”
Dr. Denis Mukwege also accepted the invitation to become the first Honorary Lion in the organization’s newest constitutional area, Africa.
We spoke to Dr. Mukwege in Milan after he received his award to gain more insights into his compassionate mission to help women in Africa.
Lions International: What does it mean to you to receive the Lions International Humanitarian Award knowing that this is the world’s largest humanitarian service club organization?
Dr. Mukwege: This prize is of great importance, since it conveys the Lions’ commitment towards the survivors of sexual abuse, not only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but everywhere in the world where conflicts are taking place and where women are used as battle fields.
Lions International: What is your impression of Lions Clubs International?
Dr. Mukwege: I find that this organization is amazing, and in fact, I am very much impressed by the one who launched the idea. I’m talking about Melvin Jones, who simply considered that if all of us were to dedicate our intelligence, our know-how and our wealth to improve the lives in our communities, the world would be a better place.
And I believe that this idea lives through the years, but also travels across the continents, and that is absolutely remarkable.
Lions International: How will you use this award to create equality, harmony and dignity?
Dr. Mukwege: The money will help us support the women we’re working with because when we heal them physically and psychologically, we are also supporting them legally, but afterwards, we need to restore their autonomy, so they can take care of themselves. And only as they become autonomous can they recover their dignity and become integrated into society again.
Lions International: How can Lions help you create change through “shared responsibility” and advocating to end sexual violence so that there is increased dignity and equality at community levels?
Dr. Mukwege: Lions is a very important network, one that is present in 200 countries around the world, so it is very powerful. I believe that if Lions make the struggle against sexual abuse one of their priorities, we can reach out to 200 countries simultaneously. I believe that this is the most important tool to tackle the sexual abuse situations we are facing in the world today.
Lions International: How does it feel to become the first Lion member in the newly-created constitutional area of Africa?
Dr. Mukwege: It is a great honor, but I also feel it to be a responsibility considering the Lions’ motto is to serve. And so, I have always served, but being the first Lion in the constitutional region of Africa makes me feel even more compelled to serve and to drive others to serve. It is the only way to build a well-respected Africa, an Africa where people are in service to others instead of themselves, to build a better world.
Congratulations, Dr. Mukwege. Your legacy of humanitarian service will carry on for many generations to come.
View more information about the Lions’ Humanitarian Award and a list of recipients.
Kristopher Kempski is the senior motion picture specialist for Lions Clubs International.
