Sophie Wessex emotional as she hugs hero surgeon who has treated hundreds of rape victims

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, has become the first member of the royal family to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

By Rebecca Perring

13:23, Tue, Oct 4, 2022 | UPDATED: 14:36, Tue, Oct 4, 2022

31

Sophie Wessex is visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Image: PA)

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, has been pictured warmbly embracing a hero surgeon during a visit to a local hospital while she tours the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Countess smiled as she enthusiastically hugged world-renowned gynaecologist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Denis Mukwege at Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, South Kivu Province.

Related articles

• Sophie Wessex dons ‘romantic’ £38 dress for her solo trip to Congo
• Sophie Wessex is a vision in white during latest Congo appearance

Dr Mukwege was honoured for his work helping sexually abused women at the hospital he founded.

He has treated thousands who have been raped amid fighting between armed groups seeking to control some of the central African nation’s vast mineral wealth.

Sophie was shown first-hand the pioneering and critical medical treatment provided to those who have endured brutal, conflict-related sexual violence and trauma.

READ MORE: ‘Charles and William set to revolutionise Britain’s monarchy’

She toured the hospital, including its newly opened operating room, spent time with some of the survivors being cared for at the Panzi, and spoke to its team of experts.

Some 3,500 babies born of sexual violence in conflict are delivered there each year, and Sophie also heard about the vital support given to the mothers.

The Panzi Foundation has supported more than 70,000 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence since 1999.

Sophie Wessex hugged Dr Denis Mukwege (Image: PA)

Related articles

• Princess Anne ‘quietly struggling’ is ‘really upsetting’ claims expert
• Sophie Wessex lives 40 minutes from Princess Kate – see inside mansion

This is not the first time the royal has met Dr Mukwege. The pair met in 2018 and during a speech the following year, Sophie lauded the surgeon for treating hundreds of victims of rape and abuse. 

She said: “Last November, I also met the 2018 Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr Denis Mukwege at the PSVI International Film Festival in London. Dr Mukwege, a gynaecologist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has treated hundreds of victims of rape and abuse.

“I was struck by what he said about the silence. He considers the silence to be an enemy of survivors of sexual violence and a crime in itself.

Sophie is the first member of the Firm to visit the African nation (Image: PA)

“The silence that prevents survivors, their families and communities from reporting these crimes and seeking justice and makes complicit those who deliberately enable such a situation. Here at the UN we can give survivors a voice, we can break down the stigma they face.”

Sophie travelled to the African country at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sophie saw first-hand the pioneering and critical medical treatment (Image: PA)

This is not the first time Sophie has met Dr Denis Mukwege (Image: PA)

Buckingham Palace said the countess’s visit would focus on addressing the devastating impact of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict while supporting and empowering survivors and tackling the stigma they face.

She is being accompanied by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict.

Sophie has publicly committed herself to supporting the UK’s work helping victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in war.