Mukwege Foundation

05/06/2026

The UN Secretary-General's 2025 report on conflict-related sexual violence has, for the first time, added Russia to the list of parties credibly suspected of committing such violations.

For over a year and a half, survivor networks in Ukraine have been tirelessly advocating for this recognition. Their courage, their voices, and their persistence made this moment possible.

This step forward is proof that survivors speaking out shapes accountability.

The Mukwege Foundation remains committed to supporting their work and amplifying their voices every step of the way.

ЦЕ СТАЛОСЯ! РОСІЯ - У ЧОРНОМУ СПИСКУ ООН.

Сьогодні, 29 травня 2026 року, світ дізнався: Російська Федерація офіційно внесена до списку сторін, які обґрунтовано підозрюються у систематичному сексуальному насильстві в умовах збройного конфлікту - відповідно до щорічної доповіді Генерального секретаря ООН.

Це - результат наполегливої боротьби тих, хто вижив. І тих, хто їх не залишив.

У грудні 2024 року ГО "СЕМА Україна", ГО "Випускники", ГО "29 грудня" та ГО "Нумо, сестри" зробили перший крок: ініціювали звернення до Генерального секретаря ООН з вимогою включити росію до цього списку. Підписали. Передали. І не зупинились.

Адвокація тривала на полях КСЖ70 у 2025 році. Потім - нове звернення та КСЖ71. Крок за кроком. Рік за роком.

У серпні 2025 року прийшло попередження - знак того, що система ООН почула. Але ми чекали більшого.

І сьогодні це більше настало!

Що зафіксовано у доповіді?

📌 310 задокументованих випадків сексуального насильства, пов'язаного з конфліктом, на окупованих територіях України та на території самої Росії

📌 Зґвалтування, генітальні катування, удари електричним струмом - переважно проти чоловіків, зокрема військовополонених

📌 ООН констатує: попри попередження, насильство не припинялося, а російська сторона систематично блокувала доступ слідчих

Цей результат - для кожної людини, яка наважилась говорити про пережите. Для кожної, чий голос міг коштувати їй безпеки.

Ми вдячні Global Survivors Fund, Mukwege Foundation, All Survivors Project Урядова уповноважена з ґендерної політики Катерина Левченко, ООН Жінки в Україні, Український Жіночий Фонд які пліч-о-пліч із нами пройшли цей шлях - підтримували, підписували, адвокатували, не мовчали.

Боротьба за справедливість триває. Але сьогодні ми зробили її на крок реальнішою. 💙💛

#СНПК #СЕМАУкраїна #Випускники #29грудня #ООН #Справедливість #Україна

22/05/2026

🎥 We’re thrilled to announce a special screening of the film 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 as part of 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻’—a festival that brings contemporary Ukrainian culture to international audiences in the Netherlands.

📣In TRACES Film, survivors’ voices in Ukraine refuse to remain silent. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker and Sema Ukraine Alisa Kovalenko. and co-directed by Marysia Nikitiuk, with support from the Mukwege Foundation. Learn more about the film and the impact campaign here: https://www.mukwegefoundation.org/traces-documentary/

📆Sun,24 May – 18:30pm
📍De Koepel, Haarlem, The Netherlands T
💬 Q&A with director Alisa Kovalenko


🎟️Tickets are selling fast. Get yours now https://cutt.ly/EtVYGv5H ckets are selling fast. Get yours now https://cutt.ly/EtVYGv5H

Alisa Kovalenko, Marysia Nikitiuk Despite the deep traces of trauma caused by sexual violence and torture at the hands of Russian troops, Ukrainian women survivors are uniting to break stigma and silence, transforming their testimonies into a powerful form of resistance. Despite the deep traces of t...

20/05/2026

👏 Join us in congratulating Sylvia Acan, SEMA member and founder of Golden Women Vision (Uganda), on receiving the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in South Korea this week.

This prestigious award recognises Sylvia’s tireless efforts standing with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Uganda and around the world.

Presented by the May 18 Memorial Foundation, the prize honours those advancing democracy, peace and human rights globally.

Sylvia was recognised for founding Golden Women Vision, supporting survivors’ recovery and self-reliance, and building international solidarity through SEMA, including in her role on the SEMA Advisory Committee.

We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and Sylvia’s continued courage and leadership 💛

🎥 Watch the full award ceremony and Sylvia’s speech below:
https://www.youtube.com/live/v8cFubA9DNg?si=2UWRdPHQNAYv0r9S&t=2966

📷Yonhap News

14/05/2026

✨ Highlights from the SEMA Collective Memory Exhibition in Banjul

This week, our SEMA Programme Manager, Camille Risler, together with four members of the SEMA 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, took part in the African NGO Forum and the 𝟴𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀’ 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 (ACHPR) in Banjul.

To bring survivors’ voices and experiences to the centre, the team presented the 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 “𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?” on 11 May.

The opening event was an engaging moment attended by more than 60 participants and distinguished panellists, including the Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Women; Hon. Commissioner Salma Sassi, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa; and Hon. Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chair of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa.

The exhibition created an important space for dialogue between the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, civil society actors and regional human rights mechanisms.

🤝 Together, we discussed how to strengthen calls for survivor-centred responses and accountability and emphasised the importance of addressing conflict-related sexual violence by listening to survivors.

💬 “𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱; 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹.” — Léa K., Central African Republic

This exhibition was made possible thanks to the support of our partners FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights and Alliance Féministe Francophone.

We extend our sincere thanks to the survivors, participants, and the Honourable Commissioners who joined us and contributed to these important exchanges.

👉 Swipe for a glimpse of the event and moments from the exhibition.

08/05/2026

🕊️ Enhancing quality, holistic care for survivors of sexual violence in Burundi.

A joint delegation of the Tumaini project recently visited the partners in Burundi—read more in our new article 🔗 https://www.mukwegefoundation.org/burundi-joint-visit-reinforces-commitment-for-survivors/

“Tumaini,” meaning hope in Swahili, is at the heart of a transformative initiative to strengthen care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Access to comprehensive, compassionate, and dignified care remains far too limited, especially in regions affected by conflict and crisis. The Tumaini project aims to change that.

Through this project four partner centres across Burundi will be supported by the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation to deliver holistic, survivor-centred care. This includes:
• Strengthening medical, psychosocial and legal services
• Training professionals to ensure quality and compassion in care
• Raising awareness at community and national levels
• Engaging young people and adolescents to promote prevention and access to services

Renovation works at the Seruka and Humura Centres are underway, improving conditions to better support survivors’ care and treatment.

As one centre coordinator shared: “We are already seeing changes in our organisation thanks to the project, particularly in the improvement of hygiene conditions for survivors.”

Collaboration is at the core of the Tumaini project. This progress would not be possible without the dedication of local partners and support of international organisations and the support of donors.

In Burundi, the Tumaini project is implemented by the Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation in collaboration with the consortium – Unité de santé internationale • International Health Unit, Hygeia observatory of Université de Montréal and Panzi Foundation – and other international partners such as Avocats sans frontières Canada and Global Strategies.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, Le développement international du Canada - Affaires mondiales Canada for their support.

From 20-24 April, representatives of Global Affairs Canada, USI, Panzi Foundation DRC and the Mukwege Foundation visited both centres and met with survivors and partners in Bujumbura and Gitega. Read more.

07/05/2026

✈️ We’re traveling to Banjul, The Gambia.

We’re thrilled to share that the Dr. Denis Mukwege foundation and the SEMA Global Network organise a SEMA Collective Memory Exhibition in partnership with the Francophone Feminist Alliance, a consortium initiative led by the FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights and Equipop

Four survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, members of the SEMA Global Network, will participate to the African NGO Forum and the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul.

📣 Through advocacy meetings, engagement with key stakeholders, and a collective memory exhibition, SEMA members from the DR Congo, Mali and the Central African Republic will share SEMA’s key advocacy priorities:

🔸 Collective memory
🔸 Justice and accountability
🔸 Access to holistic care and reparations
🔸 Support for survivor networks.

Survivors will call on African States to ensure that the rights enshrined in regional frameworks translate into tangible action—protection, accountability, and dignity for those most affected.

The message is clear: adoption is not enough. Implementation must follow.

Would you like to visit the exhibition? 📅 Save the date now.

💬Interpretation will be available in French and English

13/04/2026

Read survivors messages below ⬇️. Stand with survivors. Join the fight against conflict-related sexual violence.

20/03/2026

🎥 Join us next week for the Dutch premiere of Muganga at Movies that Matter.

Muganga, The One Who Treats – a movie inspired by Nobel Peace laureate Dr Denis Mukwege and Panzi Hospital and Foundation in eastern Congo – draws urgent attention to sexual violence used as a weapon of war, and to the courage of survivors.

📅 22, 25, and 26 March
📍 Filmhuis Den Haag
🎙 Followed by an after-talk with Katrien Coppens, Director of the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, and film director Marie-Hélène Roux, moderated by Louisa Bergsma on 25 and 25 March.

🔗Get your tickets today: https://moviesthatmatter.nl/en/festival/film/muganga/

Stand with survivors. Join the fight against conflict-related sexual violence.

Urgent and powerful film inspired by the true story of Dr. Denis Mukwege, who treats survivors of wartime sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When he meets Belgian surgeon Guy Cadière, they unite to help women piece themselves back together after being destroyed physically and psyc...

18/03/2026

Survivors are speaking. Are you listening?

This year, at the Movies that Matter Festival in The Hague (March 20-28), we highlight TRACES Film, a unique documentary amplifying the voices of Ukrainian survivors of conflict-related sexual violence resulting from Russian aggression — voices that refuse to remain silent.

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 follows the journey of Iryna Dovgan, a former captive-turned-activist. After surviving captivity, Iryna began documenting survivor testimonies across formerly occupied territories. She later founded Sema Ukraine, the country’s first survivor-led network, with the support of the Mukwege Foundation.

As Iryna brings women together to speak, listen, and support one another, 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 weaves a collective portrait of trauma, while creating space for resistance, solidarity and hope.

The film is directed by Alisa Kovalenko and supported by the Mukwege Foundation.

📅 21, 22, and 23 March
📍 Filmhuis Den Haag
🎙️ Followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko and protagonist Iryna Dovgan, moderated by our Executive Director Katrien Coppens on 23 March
🔗Get your tickets today: https://moviesthatmatter.nl/en/festival/film/traces/

Stand with survivors. Join the fight against conflict-related sexual violence.

Psychological portrait telling the stories of six women who survived sexual violence and torture during Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Led by Iryna Dovgan, they fight for justice and recognition. In the face of massive trauma, Iryna encourages them to rebuild their lives. Very inspiring. ‘This ...