The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) congratulates Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

Mr. Mukwege is a Congolese gynaecologist who has helped thousands of persons who have suffered rape. Nadia Murad, an Iraqi Yazidi sold into sex slavery by ISIS, refused to remain silent, speaking out about crimes perpetrated against her and other women.

The Nobel committee said: “They have both put their own personal security at risk by courageously combatting war crimes and securing justice for victims.”

We thank the Nobel Peace Prize committee for utilizing this prestigious award to bring attention to sexual violence as a war crime and to those brave human rights defenders who consistently fight for justice. For too long, victims have remained silent due to public pressure and insufficient support. Finally the world is speaking out to support victims and to say, ‘We stand with you for justice. We stand with you for recognition. We stand with you.’

As many women and some men in Kosovo continue to seek justice for the sexual violence crimes that were perpetrated against them, we are pleased that the government of Kosovo finally has taken steps to recognise and support them. We continue to stand with all women and men who have suffered such crimes in Kosovo and beyond. We hope that the recognition given with the most recent Nobel Peace Prize will bring further international awareness and action towards supporting you, too.