Monika Hauser, the founder of medica mondiale, shared her insights on the widespread issue of sexualised violence in conflict areas on Thursday morning, highlighting the societal structures that enable such crimes.
On Thursday morning, Monika Hauser, a renowned physician and founder of the women's rights organisation medica mondiale, spoke with our colleagues from RTL Radio about the ongoing issue of sexualised violence in conflict regions. She visited Luxembourg to participate in a conference.
Hauser described the election of Donald Trump as "a dark day" for women's rights, human rights, and the climate. She criticised Trump's policies, which she believes are rooted in sexism and misogyny. Hauser also expressed concern over the message it sends to the world, particularly to men, that a convicted criminal with a history of sexual harassment and "extremely misogynistic" rhetoric could attain such a powerful position.
Through her organisation medica mondiale, Hauser has supported women who are victims of sexualised violence in conflict zones. Her work began more than 30 years ago during the Balkan wars of independence. Hauser, deeply disturbed by the mass rapes she witnessed, decided to take action. As a gynaecologist, she travelled to the war zone to help the women affected. Today, medica mondiale continues to support traumatised women around the world.
Hauser emphasised that violence in war is only possible because it is also prevalent in times of peace. She identified violence against women as a structural issue within patriarchal societies. Hauser noted that such violence is present in every war, often manifesting as rape and forced pregnancies. However, she explained that such acts of violence are not always ordered from above; rather, soldiers often feel empowered to commit these crimes. She pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions after the Bucha massacre, where soldiers were decorated, sending the message, "You can do what you want, and nothing will happen to you."
Hauser also highlighted the gap between international laws and their enforcement in wartime. While humanitarian laws exist to protect civilians and prevent war crimes, she believes there is a lack of political will to uphold these laws on the global stage.
