Activists Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, who are working to end rape and sexual violence as weapons of war, were just awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.

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The two have both worked for years as activists, drawing attention to the widespread use of rape and sexual violence in wars across the globe. According to Unicef, systematic rape as a weapon of war is linked to ethnic cleansing.

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Iraqi activist Nadia Murad is a survivor of rape and sexual slavery herself. Murad, who is a part of the religious minority of the Yazidi, was captured and enslaved by the terrorist organisation ISIS. Among other things, Murad has previously campaigned with Amal Clooney for justice for Yazidi women and girls who were subjected to rape and human trafficking by ISIS.

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Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist working in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Mukwege has treated thousands of women and girls affected by rape and sexual violence in DR Congo. According to a report from this year by Thompson Reuters, DR Congo is the second most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of sexual violence (India is number one).

The two were celebrated for their "crucial contribution to focusing attention on, and combating, such war crimes," the Nobel committee writes in a statement.

"A more peaceful world can only be achieved if women and their fundamental rights and security are recognised and protected in war," the committee concluded.

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