UN Sustainable Development Goals

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  Good health and well-being

  Make Music Matter’s Healing in Harmony program has been clinically proven to reduce anxiety, PTSD, and depression amongst participants. The research, published in April 2021, was conducted at a site in rural Democratic Republic of Congo and demonstrated significant improvement in women’s mental health, sustained up to six months post-completion of the program despite instability in the region and evidence of continued experience of conflict-related trauma during the study. Healing in Harmony integrates existing holistic care models and partners with local health and social service providers. As the emerging artists regain a sense of identity and agency, they are better placed to benefit from other programs that promote health and well-being. In Canada, Make Music Matter is working with Indigenous partners in central Alberta and in Toronto to help break barriers to accessing mental health support, bringing together experts in trauma-informed interventions, arts-based youth empowerment programs, and music therapy for traumatized communities. Not only does the Healing in Harmony program help individuals to heal, but it continues to make a difference at a community-wide level. Songs created become tools for advocacy and help to break stereotypes, stigma, and shame. The program has brought people together to share their stories and has helped to create more open, accepting, and supportive communities.

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  Quality education

  The Healing in Harmony program has helped to create a gateway for community dialogue about gender norms and education rights for children. In 2021, Make Music Matter launched two new studios in conflict-ridden central DRC to help empower girls who face major psychosocial barriers to accessing quality education in a safe learning environment. Barriers include the mental stress and trauma they have experienced as a result of conflict, gender-based violence, and displacement. By helping to build resilience, agency, and self-efficacy, Healing in Harmony is encouraging girls and young women to enroll in or stay in school. The program is currently serving both youth and adults in the community to help challenge existing gender norms that threaten the rights of girls to attend school, such as child marriage. In Rwanda, Healing in Harmony has worked with street children and children of child-headed households and helped to encourage changes of behaviour and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS, sexuality, and many social challenges. It has helped to identify leadership qualities and increase capacity for positive social development, leading to new opportunities in education and employment.

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  Gender equality

  Healing in Harmony is helping to empower women and girls in some of the worst places in the world to be female. Participants at Maison Dorcas in Bukavu, DRC, are primarily survivors of sexual violence. As they heal physically and emotionally, they rediscover a sense of self-worth and find their voice to be able to speak up for their rights. The program has also become a beacon to others in the community who may be reticent about or unaware of treatment options. At one site in rural DRC, the program has taken a gender-transformative approach, inviting men to take part in the therapy program. The focus has been on promoting positive masculinity and inviting men to be allies in efforts to achieve gender equality. Recent reports describe a significant positive change in perceptions of women and gender roles.