City of Joy in Bukavu Celebrates First Graduating Class

On the 28th of January, V-day and the Foundation Panzi celebrated the first graduating class of Jity of Joy in Bukav, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year City of Joy opened its doors to the pilot class of 42 women, who for six months took part in a gender-violence survivors programme.

As part of the program in Bukavu,  gender violence survivors took part in activities such as group therapy, dance classes, theater, self-defense and sex education. The six-month program, called City of Joy, also teaches leadership skills with hopes that the women will help bolster peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Founder of V-day Eve Ensler wrirtes: "The revolution of women that has begun and will gather and will grow until the 42 become hundreds become thousands become millions of POWER FLOWERS, become a wild unstoppable garden popping up, blooming, in ever village, church, school, field and town." (V-day.org)

Congratulations to all 42 women graduating, V-day, and Foundation Panzi! Keep up the good work!


Read Eve Ensler's article: "City of Joy Celebrates First Graduating Class here:http://www.vday.org/node/2838

Learn more about City of Joy here:http://drc.vday.org/city-of-joy