Please join Amnesty Port Macquarie for a free screening of City of Joy as we belatedly mark International Women’s Day and celebrate the power of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.

The story of City of Joy is the story of love and community from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the story of what happens when women who are sexual violence survivors live together in community, heal each other, and create their destiny on their own terms. The change which is seen at City of Joy shows that the most abused can become the most powerful. That one can turn poison into medicine, isolation into community, shame into self-love, silence into story. This is the story of what happens when women have time to heal and truly release and transform trauma, when women are loved and held and nurtured and treated with the deepest kindness, dignity and intention.

Please be advised that this film contains detailed accounts of sexual violence and war and may be triggering for some viewers and confronting for all. For those who’d rather sit this one out, we look forward to seeing you at future Reel Justice Solidarity Screenings. For those who can, we encourage you to join us in community to collectively witness this story of unfathomable resilience.

The screening will be followed by a short discussion over a cuppa and cake.

For further resources and support relating to domestic, family and or sexual violence, please reach out to the following services.

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732

Full-Stop Australia: 1800 385 578

For more information about the City of Joy film visit: https://cityofjoycongo.org/city-joy-film/