Statement by the Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary-General Jan Egeland on the announcement of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize:
"The Nobel Committee finally shines the spotlight on sexual violence today, first and foremost towards women and children in war.
I first suggested Denis Mukwege for the Peace Prize in 2008 after several visits to the Panzi Hospital, which he created for raped women in Eastern Congo. With great danger to his own life, he has since been a tireless advocate for the most forgotten and vulnerable survivors of war.
It is fitting that he shares the award with Nadia Murad, a brave woman who has survived sexual violence, and taken up the fight for other women so they do not have to endure similar horrors.
Today’s award will boost our work for survivors of sexual violence, crimes which are much more prevalent in war than most people realise. We must strengthen international efforts to prevent these assaults, and ensure that those who commit what are pure war crimes are held accountable."
