Port-au-Prince, March 8, 2025 --- The Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, Pedrica Saint Jean, praised the courage and resilience of Haitian women and girls, who are forced to abandon their homes to seek refuge in sites that do not meet safety standards.

More than one million people are internally displaced, while nearly half of the population faces acute food insecurity. Between January and December 2024, a total of 6,488 incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported to GBV sub-cluster service providers.

For the respect of rights

The fundamental rights of the women and girls concerned must be respected, restored, protected and guaranteed, the minister specified.

Women must have access to security, education, health, a violence-free environment, adapted education programs, as well as economic empowerment initiatives, she added.

To end sexual violence

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, Maria Isabel Salvador, said that every woman must live in a shelter of peace, access opportunities and rules of rights.

Près de 40% des femmes haïtiennes subissent des violences sexuelles et physiques, a-t-elle souligné.

Les violences sexuelles contre les femmes et les filles sont utilisées comme arme de guerre, d’intimidation, de contrôle territorial et de domination.

No future without women

The Special Representative deplored the low participation of women in the political sphere. The Transitional Presidential Council has only one woman and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has only four, she recalled.

The future of Haiti will be built with women, she said. She suggested that equality be reflected in the country's politics.

A duty in favor of women

The Minister of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights declared that it is the duty of the MCFDF to support displaced women and girls and offer them the necessary opportunities so that they can flourish in an environment of respect, equality and empowerment.

The government is stepping up efforts to provide appropriate responses through the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, which has played an important role in ensuring that the specific needs of displaced women and girls in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area are addressed due to the fury of heavily armed gangs who loot, steal and rape. Women and girls are the first victims of the savage barbarity of these criminals.

Facing the challenges

To address the challenges, the MCFDF has launched several response initiatives. Psychological support programs are implemented through women's organizations identified by the MCFDF with expertise in psychosocial support for women victims of gender-based violence. This action aims to ensure access to mental health care for displaced women and girls.

A social reintegration program for displaced women and girls is being implemented. Periodic distributions of hygiene and food kits are planned, as well as the strengthening of the MCFDF listening center for victims of sexual violence and access to educational programs for girls, who absolutely must continue their schooling, even in crisis situations.

Acknowledgments

The Minister thanked UN WOMEN and UNFPA, two unconditional partners of the Ministry, as well as UNDP and UNICEF. The Minister continues to believe in this cooperation within the framework of a vast project to educate young people on women's rights and development that will be initiated soon by the MCFDF.

UNFPA in Haiti provided financial support to the MCFDF, alongside other partners, as part of the commemoration of this International Women’s Day. This commemoration is structured around the theme: Rights, Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls.

This commemoration is a day of awareness and an opportunity for advocacy in relation to each of its themes and the results that the MCFDF seeks to achieve with the support of UNFPA.

A joint action

With the MCFDF, the UNFPA is part of a joint action aimed at a more just and egalitarian Haitian society.

“We are harmonizing our efforts and supporting active advocacy for holistic care for women and girls, particularly those who have been raped,” stressed UNFPA Representative in Haiti, Samir Anouti.

UNFPA has, as every year, signed a work plan with the MCFDF with a view to achieving strategic results.

Text and photos: Vario Sérant