The 5 Tenets of Turning Pain Into Power | Christine Schuler Deschryver | TED

Summary

The Democratic Republic of Congo's history is marked by colonization and violence, particularly sexual terrorism affecting women. The City of Joy in Bukavu offers a beacon of hope, transforming women survivors of gender violence into leaders through a six-month program focused on healing, education, and empowerment. With a farm as a living classroom, the sanctuary integrates ecological healing with community support, fostering a network of empowered women who are reshaping their society.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Democratic Republic of Congo has a history of colonization, exploitation, and violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war, which has led to significant social and political upheaval.
• 💎 The country's wealth in mineral resources has been a driving factor behind ongoing conflicts and proxy wars, impacting the global production of electronics.
• 🌳 Despite its troubled past, the DRC is also a place of natural beauty with potential for growth and renewal, much like its resilient people.
• 👩‍🎓 The City of Joy in Bukavu is a transformative community for women survivors of gender violence, focusing on leadership development and empowerment.
• 🔑 Women at City of Joy are selected for their leadership potential and are educated about their rights, aiming to cultivate future leaders for the country.
• 🌱 The concept of 'turning pain into power' is central to the City of Joy's mission, emphasizing care, compassion, and community as forms of power.
• 🌈 The guiding principles of City of Joy include the belief in the possibility of rebirth and restoration for any woman, regardless of her past traumas.
• 🌟 The story of Jane Mukunilwa illustrates the transformative journey possible at City of Joy, from victim to a literate, empowered leader in her community.
• 🌱 Grassroots women know their needs best and require resources and respect, not external direction, to realize their visions, such as the establishment of City of Joy.
• 👭 Healing is a communal process at City of Joy, with group therapy and collective activities fostering mutual growth and understanding among the women.
• 🌿 The connection between the healing of women and the Earth is emphasized, with the farm at City of Joy serving as a living classroom for agricultural skills and permaculture.
• 🎭 Art, theater, music, and dance play a critical role in the recovery process, helping women to express themselves, share stories, and move towards healing.
• 🎓 Since its inception, City of Joy has graduated 1987 women who have become leaders, educators, and change-makers in their communities, turning their experiences into positive contributions.
• 🌟 The sanctuary is named 'City of Joy' to reflect the transformative power of joy as a counterforce to violence, representing possibility, gratitude, and freedom.

Q & A

What is the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo described as in the script?

The history of the Democratic Republic of Congo is described as one of colonization, disempowerment, resource extraction, and the removal of people's agency over their bodies, land, hearts, and destinies.

What is the ongoing issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo that contributes to violence?

The ongoing issue is a proxy war for the country's vast mineral resources, which are essential for the production of computers, phones, and electronics.

How is rape used as a weapon in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Rape is used as a weapon of war by militias to rip apart communities, resulting in catastrophic sexual violence, political upheaval, displacement, and disease.

What is the purpose of the City of Joy in the eastern DRC?

The City of Joy is a transformational leadership community for women survivors of gender violence, aimed at educating them about their rights and developing them as leaders who will one day take back their country.

How many women does the City of Joy serve at a time and for how long?

The City of Joy serves 90 women aged 18 to 30 at a time for a period of six months.

What is the selection criterion for women to join the City of Joy?

Women are selected based on their leadership potential by the City of Joy's graduates who are spread across the country.

What is the story of Jane Mukunilwa and how is she connected to the City of Joy?

Jane Mukunilwa was a woman who survived gang rape and underwent nine surgeries. She committed herself to helping other women and imagined creating a shelter for them. She was in the first class of women at City of Joy, where she learned to read and write and became a strong role model for others.

What are the guiding principles that the City of Joy is based on?

The guiding principles include the belief in rebirth and restoration, the importance of grassroots women knowing their needs, the healing power of community, the central role of the Earth in healing, and the critical role of art, theater, music, and dance in recovery.

How does the City of Joy incorporate the Earth into its healing process?

The City of Joy has a 350-hectare farm where women learn to grow various crops and take care of animals, connecting the healing of women with the healing of the Earth.

What is the impact of the City of Joy on the women who have graduated from it?

The women who have graduated from the City of Joy have become leaders in their communities, educators, journalists, university students, entrepreneurs, and advocates, contributing positively to over 64 villages and urban areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What is the significance of the name 'City of Joy' and how does it relate to the experiences of the women?

The name 'City of Joy' signifies the possibility, gratitude, and the bodily expression of freedom when pain has turned to power. It represents the opposite of violence and is a powerful force in the world, symbolizing love ignited in action.