Christine Schuler Deschryver

Why you should listen

Christine Schuler Deschryver is the cofounder and director of City of Joy, a leadership community for survivors of violence. Since its opening in 2011, nearly 2,000 women have graduated from the program, going on to become entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, farmers, journalists, students, educators, advocates and more.

In addition to City of Joy, Deschryver is director of V-Day Congo and vice president of Panzi Foundation DRC, which is part of another global movement to help survivors of sexual violence reclaim their lives. She is an internationally renowned human rights activist and was named one of The Guardian’s Women of the Year in 2011. She travels widely advocating for Congolese women’s rights and is featured in the documentary films City of Joy and Congo, Un Combat Pour La Vie.