Meet the Team Behind: Panzi

The Panzi Foundation helps Congolese survivors of sexual violence get the healing, justice, community, and future they deserve. With a holistic model, Panzi supports survivors medically, psychosocially, legally, and socio-economically, empowering women to rebuild and restore independence. Learn more here! 

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

Countless women experience sexual violence every day in the Congo, a tragedy which is heightened by the ongoing war. For decades, armed groups and military forces have used sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war in the region. This has devastated communities with profound and long-lasting physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors. Survivors frequently face social ostracism and are not given the protection and support they need. We believe that true healing requires more than just medical treatment, and our holistic model ensures that all survivors receive comprehensive care that is tailored to their unique needs. 

What is the Panzi Model?

The Panzi Model is a four-pillar care approach consisting of medical, psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic support that helps women and girls heal and experience long-term recovery. We offer medical services to address physical healing, including surgical intervention, STI treatment, maternity care, PEP kits, and more. To promote mental and emotional health, we provide psychotherapy, group therapy, recreational activities, and in-home follow-up care. For socioeconomic reintegration, we offer literacy, life skills, and vocational training, savings and loans programs, and support for sustainable economic projects. Panzi also provides legal assistance, mediation support, and education on rights awareness. 

What does your advocacy work entail? 

At the basis of all our pillars is advocacy. We focus on fostering community behavior change, raising awareness, and promoting systemic reform to prevent gender-based violence and uphold human rights. We educate communities about human rights and the importance of gender equity, engage with policymakers to strengthen laws and enforcement against gender-based violence, highlight the prevalence of this issue on national and global platforms, and empower survivors to share their stories and advocate for change within their communities and beyond. 

Can you tell me about the City of Joy?

City of Joy is a transformational leadership community for women survivors of violence, located in Bukavu in the DRC. Conceived, owned, and run by local Congolese, it has flourished since opening its doors in 2011, healing women from past trauma through therapy and life skills programming while providing them with the essential ingredients needed to move forward in life— love, dignity, and community. Over 2,240 women have completed the program, emerging as empowered leaders in their communities, and participants report significant improvements in mental health, self-esteem, and resilience. Our graduates have gone on to launch community projects, start businesses, and become advocates for justice and equality.