On May 16, 2018, laureate Denis Mukwege accepted the award for Freedom from Want. Mukwege received the award for not letting himself be stopped from protecting survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the DRC and worldwide, Mukwege defends women's rights in wars.

In 1999, he founded Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. Here, survivors are not only treated physically, but legal and psycho-social support is also offered to patients. In this way, women are empowered to start a new life. Mukwege effortlessly strives to make others aware of the extreme violence in the DRC. He also wants to ensure that perpetrators of rape and violence against women are brought to justice.