Dr. Denis Mukwege (doctor, Christian pastor, feminist) my hero

Dr. Denis Mukwege won the Nobel Peace Price in 2018 for his work globally in restoring women and children who've suffered from sexual violence and rape, he is the founder of the Panzi hospital in Congo. This book Kvinnors Styrka  or as the title is in English The Power of Women is a read that I recommend for every man and woman, it's a global issue. In the book he retells the story of his life and career in helping women but he retells the story of his life in the most selfless way, with the activist agenda to live a Christlike life helping women and children. 

There is so much to say about this book, it's brilliant and wise like the writer Dr. Denis Mukwege, I have great respect for him and admire him not only for his work now, but for the many points he brings forth in this book, I find it best to list them here:

1. The crisis in Kongo since colonialism has solely been one of a global tug o war and mainly western countries looting for minerals and other natural resources. Rape and violence against women and children (girls) directly relates to the exploitation of Congo as a natural resource for the rest of the world. Throughout the book it seemed that the UN and Western world, EU and great leaders of rich nations do nothing, and it seems to me that the reason can be read between the lines, they benefit from the chaos. Dr. Denis Mukwege said "The land is sick, it must heal" and this describes largely what the effects off violence, war, colonialism has women and children.

2. Dr. Denis Mukwege gives us a tour around Congo but also around the world, he meets rape victims and advocates for women and children, there is one prevalent theme among the victims the women describe it saying again and again that they're dying. Rape is a kind of spiritual death as well as in the most dire cases a physical one.

3. Cultural issues are real but they are in the overall picture minor issues, much good work can be done on a grassroots level for victims but governments and international communities have to take responsibility.

4. Faith (in Christ Jesus) and Feminism is compatible. Dr. Denis Mukwege also a pastor, and believer in Jesus explicitly says so. He talks about faith being dynamic where religion and leadership can be rigorous and adaptive to needs of the vulnerable. I don't necessarily agree but I understand his point that religion doesn't adapt. However the Christian religion goes out from the love that God has for mankind and where there is no love there also can not be any religion. My own view is not that dualistic, faith and religion can adapt and are flexible, but values and praxis do not necessarily stem from the heart of religion but from the head of men (or women).

5. Lastly, at the end of the book i cried because of the women of Idjewi who brought Dr. Mukwege back from exile (since he had to flee for his and his family's life) the women really showed their strength throughout the book and this is what brought tears to my eyes, womenkind are so strong, incredibly strong. 

All in all Dr. Mukwege and pastor as well, brought to my attention on a global scope the injustice that women and children face everyday. This book was definitely a worthwhile read. 




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