NYOTA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
NYOTA Leadership Program is a six-month, cohort-based, professional development program for women leaders in eastern DRC. NYOTA is Swahili with two primary meanings: star and destiny.
NYOTA participants are stars that light the way toward …. for their organizations, their communities, and their country.
NYOTA participants create a new destiny for themselves like stars that materialize out of the darkness and light the night sky, the women who graduate from the NYOTA Leadership Program will shine like stars in a context submerged in darkness. Like stars, NYOYA graduates will guide and bring hope to their families, organizations, and their country.
With new skills and vision, graduates of NYOTA will step into a new destiny. With confidence, resilience, and knowledge, they will “mainfest their leadership despite the male-dominant context they are working in” (NYOTA Team Member).
WHY BENI?
Barriers for Women
Women in Beni face deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, limited access to education, and systemic inequality, making leadership roles highly inaccessible.
Impact of Ongoing Conflict
Beni’s instability, driven by armed groups and violence, disproportionately affects women and exacerbates their marginalization.
Transformational Potential
Female leaders play a critical role in peacebuilding, fostering social justice, and addressing community needs with empathy and inclusivity.
Catalyst for Development
Empowering women leaders in Beni leads to improved access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, driving sustainable progress and equity in the region.
LISTEN TO NYOTA PARTICIPANTS
Charline Wakine
Linda Etoy
Edwige Makombe
Marie Bulieni
Falone Adidja
Mby José
Jeannette Longhi
Renath Sikahimbula
READ MORE ABOUT THE NYOTA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities: Inside NYOTA Leadership Cohort 2
“Wow, I made a good decision to participate in this NYOTA Leadership program!” —Blandine, Investigator with Mercy Corps, and member of NYOTA Cohort 2 When 25 women from 22 organizations gathered April 5 for the launch of NYOTA Cohort 2, there was a sense of...
From International Women’s Day to Women’s History Month—Accelerating Impact
International Women’s Day may be over, but the Accelerating Impact campaign continues. March is Women’s History Month here in the U.S., and an opportunity to share stories of women who are making history now—women like Charline. When Charline was asked to work in...
International Women’s Day 2025—Accelerate Impact!
Every March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD) (IWD). That’s today! First celebrated in 1911, IWD honors the social, political, economic, cultural, and scientific contributions of women around the world. IWD also advocates for gender equality across all sectors. ...
Accelerate Impact
Amazing stories of impact pour in from graduates of the NYOTA Women’s Leadership Program. NYOTA graduates have— Secured financial aid for survivors of sexual violence. Negotiated fair pay and better conditions for domestic workers. Eased the anxiety of women and...
Transforming Leadership in Times of Crisis
Staying informed about global crises can be overwhelming. e recognize the rapid pace of change. This newsletter provides key updates on the ongoing conflict and highlights how Nyota participants are leading with resilience and hope. (Congo Initiative is putting out...
DRC in the News: An Update
You may have seen recent news about conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 rebel group has intensified its attacks in Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, DRC. Thousands of residents have fled the city. Water and food are becoming...
5 Steps to Success for the Young Female Professional: Insights from NYOTA Graduates
NYOTA graduates are doing remarkable things in their organizations and in Beni, DRC. They also have experience and wisdom that benefits people outside their immediate context. With that in mind, I asked NYOTA members what they would advise young women who are early in...
The Ripple Effect
As 2024 draws to a close, I am awestruck by the effect of your support on Impact Now and the NYOTA Leadership Program. When I started to write this letter, the song “Ripple” from Spirited, (my favorite Christmas movie) came to mind. The song is about how small...
Marie’s Story: A Triumph of Courage and Determination
In eastern DRCongo, where conflict places children at unimaginable risk, Marie stands as a beacon of hope. As a child protection officer with MONUSCO, her job involves rescuing children abducted by armed groups and helping them reintegrate into society. Recently, her...
CELEBRATIONS FROM NYOTA MODULE 6
Thank you for keeping in touch with Impact Now and following the activity with the NYOTA Leadership Program. Our first cohort is fast approaching the end of this six-month program. This past Saturday we began the last of the program modules, Networks and...
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