"The City of Joy is a transformational leadership community for women survivors of violence, located in Bukavu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Conceived, owned, and run by local Congolese, the City of Joy has flourished since it first opened its doors in June 2011, healing women from their past trauma through therapy and life skills programming while providing them with the essential ingredients needed to move forward in life – love and community.

Serving 90 survivors of gender violence aged 18 to 30 at a time, City of Joy has graduated over 1100 women leaders since it opened in 2011.

The City of Joy’s revolutionary Vagina Warrior Program aims to provide a safe and empowering community for survivors of gender violence who have demonstrated leadership qualities. The focus is on healing trauma, building self-esteem and skills, and training women leaders. Activities include:

- Leadership training on rights awareness, judiciary and community activism

- Specialized psychosocial care to survivors

- Literacy and English

- Comprehensive sexuality education

- Computer literacy skills (made possible by a tech center provided by Google)

- On-site farming and agro-pastoral training (livestock, crops, composting, etc)

- Knitting, sewing, and beading

- Media and communications training

- Self-defense

- Massage

- Physical Education

- Culinary Arts

- Soap making

- Theater

- Dance

- Mindfulness"

“When women first come they cannot see you, they can’t talk to you, they are ashamed, they are fearful, but after six months at City of Joy they can stand, talk without fear, without shame, and they have confidence in themselves.”

Francine Bintu

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