Posted at: 09/17/2012 5:16 PM
By: Katie Eldred

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Ending Violence Against Women

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Famous playwright and activist Eve Ensler has spent years fighting to end violence against women. Monday Ensler and her close friend shared their mission at Mayo Clinic with the hope to inspire more people to join the cause.

Eve Enlsler is best known as the playwright of the Vagina Monologues, but she is also a patient of the Mayo Clinic.

"I'm cancer free, I owe my life to the Mayo Clinic, and I feel very emotional to be alive," said Ensler.

Ensler shared not only her gratefulness for the clinic, but her passion for ending violence against women.

"She returned home and the militia tied her to a tree and raped her every day for a month," said Ensler.

Ensler has been working with Dr. Denis Mukwege, in Congo where he has been helping women who have been repeatedly raped, mutilated, and tortured.

"Sex is a much cheaper weapon, it can destroy," said Mukwege.

Dr. Mukwege has been treating women at the Panzi Hospital in Congo. He says it's not just the physical and mental pain that the violent raping cause, but the diseases like HIV that spread with it.

"It's a weapon that kills every day and the days afterwards," said Mukwege.

Several Mayo Clinic Doctors have worked with Mukwege in Congo. Ensler is hopeful more will follow suit.

"My dream is that the Mayo Clinic will become a partner, whether that be formally, informally, or institutionally."

She says it will take more than government involvement to stop this violence.

"That is not the answer, it's going to take people that care in their heart."

For more information about Ensler's mission to end rape in Congo, we've posted information under links.