New York, NY, November 14, 2024 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) honors Nobel Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege with the IRC’s 2024 Freedom Award and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family with the John C. Whitehead Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Denis Mukwege, a world-renowned gynecologist and human rights activist, is celebrated for his tireless work treating survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Mukwege established Panzi Hospital in rural Congo in 1999, serving more than 85,000 women over the course of 20 years and attaining a 99.1% live-birth rate - a monumental achievement in a country with one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. His dedication to justice and advocacy for women’s rights has earned him global recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and a feature in TIME Magazine 100.
David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, said: “Dr. Denis Mukwege is an extraordinary individual whose work has transformed countless lives. His unwavering commitment to women’s rights and his courageous efforts to support survivors of violence embody the spirit of the IRC Freedom Award- and we are honored to recognize the immeasurable impact of his life’s work.”
NBA and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family’s journey from Nigeria as refugees to Athens–and to the highest echelon of U.S. sports–is an inspirational story of hope, resilience, and defying the odds. Today, the family uses their platform and family foundation, the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, to create transformative opportunities for their communities in Nigeria, Greece, and the U.S., and fuel sustainable social change.
David Miliband added: “The Antetokounmpo family has not only lived the refugee experience, but continues to uplift the needs and voices of communities in Nigeria, Greece and the U.S. and of refugees all over the world. Their mission resonates deeply with IRC’s own. We are proud to honor them with the Whitehead Award.”
The IRC’s Freedom Award is awarded annually to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in support of the global refugee crisis and saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable populations around the world. Past awardees include Winston Churchill, Madeleine Albright, Kofi Annan, and Elie Wiesel.
Named in honor of our longest-serving Board member and Chairman Emeritus, The John C. Whitehead Humanitarian Award is presented to individuals whose sustained commitment to humanity embodies John’s spirit and passion for humanitarian causes, and who have made significant contributions to saving and improving lives around the world.
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