A Nobel laureate's powerful clarion call to end sexual violence and harness the strength, resilience, and leadership of women globally.
In The Power of Women, world-renowned doctor and human rights activist Dr. Denis Mukwege amplifies the voices of sexual violence survivors he has worked with for years. Through their stories, he shows how survivors can heal and thrive with proper care and support, even if psychological scars remain.
Dr. Mukwege's own dramatic journey is woven throughout as he exposes the overlooked reality of sexual assault in war, advocates for supporting women who speak out, and calls for governments to recognize and compensate victims. He draws connections between the decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Western patriarchy, and economic colonization.
Tying the global economy to violence against women, Dr. Mukwege reveals striking parallels in women's experiences from Congo to Korea, Latin America, the Middle East, and Western college campuses. He calls on men to develop "positive masculinity" and become allies in the battle against sexual abuse.
The Power of Women illuminates women's enduring strength in the face of trauma and offers hope for a tide-turning, inclusive future where empowered women are political and economic decision makers. This transformative book is a beacon of progress toward a safer, more equitable world.
Mukwege’s writing will address men as well, encouraging and guiding them to become allies in the fight against sexual abuse, in war and in peace.
Building more inclusive, gender-balanced societies will require developing what he calls “positive masculinity” – a systemic change in male behavior and attitudes towards women. Dr. Mukwege hopes to inspire other men to speak out and join the struggle, rather than leaving women to fight the battle alone. He will also make the case, drawing from his experience and a wealth of research on the topic, that when women are involved as economic and political decision makers, all of society benefits.
The Power of Women will illuminate the enduring strength of women in the face of violence and trauma, and give hope for the potential of individuals to turn the tide.
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