Paul Martial

The presentation of the Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege as “the man who repairs women” is very limiting. Denis Mukwege is first and foremost a feminist activist, a cause to which he devotes his life.

Through his salutary and moving work we share his journey, from the medical care of women to the radical criticism of patriarchal societies, whether African or Western.

The strength to live again
The beginnings of his medical career were devoted to the care of women, particularly during difficult deliveries, then with the arrival of armed conflicts in the country, the bulk of his work consisted of treating victims of rape and sexual violence.

He describes how the victims are treated, how they are taken care of by the women on the team: the “dear mothers (…) They are nurses, social workers and psychologists” and “deliver as many hugs and music as medicine” who, through listening, tenderness and love, allow these survivors, sometimes teenagers, to get back to life by getting rid of the feeling of shame and guilt.

We learn about the major role of former victims in the realization of the social and economic support project. To build the “City of Joy”, the construction company was required to hire women, thus breaking the gendered division of labour.

A Heavy Taboo
The author considers that rape is made possible by centuries of patriarchal oppression. By describing the daily life of Congolese women in rural areas, we can measure the degree of oppression and exploitation they suffer.

One of the merits of this book is the multidimensional analysis of rape. In conflict situations, it is considered a weapon of war whose goal is to annihilate the social ties of the enemy camp or to conduct ethnic cleansing campaigns. It also allows armed groups to recruit and keep their members in promise of women. Testimonies from militiamen report a kind of addiction in these acts of violence. In the DRC, mass rapes are also a way to push populations to leave in order to take over the exploitation of mines.

Mukwege notes with great satisfaction that feminist movements like #MeToo have helped to break the silence on these crimes, signifying the beginning of a questioning of impunity for the aggressors. While national and international laws have evolved in the right direction, their application remains problematic in most cases and only mobilizations allow the effectiveness of these legal provisions. Denis Mukwege invites us to strengthen them by “transforming our emotions into action”.