45
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12
Hours
44
Mins
29
Secs
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When her father was unjustly imprisoned in Kinshasa on her 30th birthday, Jessica Ilunga faced a choice: remain silent in the face of injustice or transform grief into action. That moment became the turning point of her life — and the genesis of Ius Stella, an organization advancing humane, transparent justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jessica’s mission is urgent. In the DRC, arbitrary arrests and wrongful convictions are not isolated mistakes but systemic failures that erode trust, fuel poverty, and fracture communities. Through Ius Stella, she and her team provide legal aid, social and psychological support, and safe spaces where justice-impacted families can organize for change. Since 2020, they have assisted more than 3,000 incarcerated individuals and secured 400+ releases — restoring not only freedom, but also dignity and hope.
Her courage lies in daring to answer her calling even when the path feels uncertain — a spirit that fuels her leadership and inspires a movement for people-centered justice.
“The most rewarding part of this fellowship has been engaging with courageous leaders from every corner of the world. The sessions with world-class experts have equipped me with tools to amplify my impact. And the personality assessments helped me better understand myself and become a stronger leader for my team.”
“Courage means daring to answer your calling, even when you can only see the first step of the staircase. Founding Ius Stella was one of the most courageous decisions of my life. It was born from the pain of my father’s imprisonment, but it became my way of creating change for others.”
“In Beni, we met a woman sentenced to life simply for being the wife of an accused man. She entered prison with her three-year-old child and nearly gave up hope. Our Nyota program provided food, medical care, and social support. She told us our actions gave her hope again — hope to rebuild her life and raise her child in freedom. That, to me, is the true measure of impact.”
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“I envision a justice system in the DRC that is truly people-centered — one where every person’s dignity is respected, where stories become data, and data becomes systemic reform. Restoring justice is about more than freeing individuals; it is about rebuilding the trust and cohesion our country needs to move forward.”
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Jessica’s leadership reflects the heart of GFiC: bold leaders advancing human rights by transforming systems from the ground up. From Kinshasa to communities across the DRC, she is proving that justice can be reimagined when dignity is placed at the center.
