Women Celebrating Women in Congo: Stand Up to Violence, Step Into Leadership!

Colorful umbrellas were raised high in the Congo sky as women grasped hands in solidarity, lifting each other up to envision standing together against violence.  The umbrellas dotted the crowd of more than 400 women gathered outside the Mumosho Women's Center to celebrate International Women's Day. In a country often called the worst place to be a woman, Colonel Honorine called the women to action.

A rarity to find a woman in such a place of power in the Congolese National Police, Colonel Honorine represents the future of women in leadership in the DRC. Articulate and charismatic, she is a defender of women's rights in charge of Children & Women's Protection for all of South Kivu. Honorine spoke of her work, encouraging the women to take on leadership and open their eyes to know their rights. Amani addressed the gathering, sharing more information to raise the women's awareness on how strong they are. His message of empowerment: that their energy and strength can change the world if only they know and accept they are strong.

Amani, Colonel Honorine and the women of Mumosho

Katie, Colonel Honorine, and the women at the Mumosho Women's Center

Katie Bond, the founder of our fair trade sister organization, The Peace Exchange Initiative, was there to meet the seamstresses she partners with, and to encourage the women that their stories are heard around the world. You can check out the work they're doing over on the website, and buy a yoga bag or market carryall to support these women in stitching together a new, peace-filled future! 

We're raising funds here at Action Kivu to continue the work Amani is doing, and to pay for sewing kits and machines for the current students in the sewing workshops: $195 purchases the machine, fabric, and tools to launch their small business!

Please consider donating to this work today. Did you get a tax refund, and are looking for a great cause to invest it in?  Tax deductible, every dollar makes a difference, and goes directly to the entrepreneurial trainings, literacy workshops, and agricultural training on the ground in Congo. 

• Maombi's Sewing Story: Designing a Life of Dignity
• Claudine on Coming Back to Life & the Sewing Workshop
• Creating New Stories for Women: Sewing, Reading, Farming Fundraiser
• Sewing students and grads: Cikwanine, Cozi, Ernata, Safi, Amie, Bienvenie, Evelyn
• the women and girls in the literacy program,& Marhonyi, one of the literacy course teachers.
• the women learning agriculture lessons on the shared farm, & a second shared farm at the Mumosho Women's Center
• the community conversation (women AND men!) on the importance of family planning and contraception
• the animal husbandry / goat program
• the women who weave beautiful baskets
• the school kids: girls at the top of their classes
• & meet Amani, community builder, leader, and visionary!  Watch the video to experience his corner of Congo here.