CWRU’s Inamori International Center to honor human rights activist Dr. Denis Mukwege with 2014 Inamori Ethics Prize, Oct. 1

Dr. Denis Mukwege, 59, a deeply committed physician and human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), will be awarded the 2014 Inamori Ethics Prize from Case Western Reserve University’s Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence for his tireless work aiding and caring for women who have suffered traumatic and violent attacks in the name of war.

The university will honor Mukwege during the Inamori Ethics Prize Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Case Western Reserve’s new Tinkham Veale University Center, 11038 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland. After receiving the medal, the honoree will present the lecture, “The Restoration of Moral Values in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Earlier that day, the public can learn more about Mukwege’s work during an Academic Symposium for a panel discussion, also in Tinkam Veale University Center. Joining Mukwege will be Case Western Reserve University panelists: James Kazura, director of the Global Center for Health; Laura Hengehold, chair and associate professor in the Department of Philosophy; and Katie Hanna, a women’s health advocate from the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women.

Both events are free and open to the public. Reserve tickets online at http://case.edu/events/Inamori. For information, call 216.368.2599.

“Dr. Mukwege is a man of great courage and integrity,” said Inamori Center Director Shannon E. French.

“The problems he addresses evoke such feelings of horror that most people avoid even thinking of them. Dr. Mukwege has helped women all over the world by refusing to turn away and demanding instead that the world confront the issue of sexual violence. He shows compassion and respect for human dignity by both treating and empowering women.”

Mukwege founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Congo (the war-torn region of the DRC) and where he serves as chief surgeon. The hospital is known worldwide for its treatment of women with severe gynecological problems, mostly from sexual violence.

Panzi has become a beacon of hope for thousands of women. Patients who can’t afford care are treated for free. Mukwege has persisted in his mission despite attacks on his life. As a result, he and his colleagues have treated more than 40,000 rape survivors.

In addition to medical support, the Panzi Hospital also provides patients with psychological counseling and legal advice. Mukwege also founded the Panzi Foundation, which provides legal assistance, counseling and training on many topics to victims of sexual violence.

Mukwege, who has long been an outspoken international advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, has been recognized by many organizations and institutions for both his medical knowledge and commitment to ending sexual violence in the DRC, including twice being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (in 2009 and 2013).

“The perpetrators of these crimes destroy life at its entry point,” he once said.

“The women can no longer have children. Often they get infected with AIDS and will spread the disease. Their men are humiliated. So the perpetrators destroy the entire social fabric of their enemies, their communities, their future generations, without even killing the woman. A line has been crossed here, which should have been an absolute taboo.”

Since 2008, the Inamori Center has presented the Inamori Ethics Prize as part of its mission to foster ethical leadership.

Mukwege will join a distinguished group of previous Inamori Prize winners: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, 2013; David Suzuki, environmentalist and broadcaster, 2012; Beatrice Mtetwa, a human rights lawyer, 2011; Stan Brock, founder of Remote Area Medical, 2010; Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights and Ireland’s first woman president, 2009; Dr. Francis S. Collins, leader of the Human Genome Project and Director of the NIH, 2008.

As the title sponsor of the Inamori Ethics Prize, The Callahan Foundation supports organizations in higher education, the arts and social services that make vital contributions to the growth and culture of Northeast Ohio, demonstrate superior entrepreneurial leadership and have a track record of value creation.

The Inamori Center was endowed by a generous gift from Dr. Kazuo Inamori, who established Kyocera Corp. and is a global telecommunications leader, and founder of the Inamori Foundation that presents the annual Kyoto Prize in Kyoto, Japan.

Susan Griffith, susan.griffith@case.edu
216.368.1004 (office)
216.339.0940 (cell)