Port au Prince, November 27, 2023 - the United Nations System in Haiti is joining forces with those of the government and civil society organizations, including feminist organizations, to combat violence against women and girls, in as part of the 32nd edition of the international “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” campaign. This campaign, launched on November 25 on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, will end on December 10, with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This year, the global campaign “UNIT! ", marked under the theme: "Investing to prevent violence against women and girls", calls on each and every one of us to act to put an end to this scourge which, not only causes suffering and unimaginable trauma to too many women and young girls, but constitutes a definite obstacle to sustainable development and progress in a society. In Haiti, this campaign is underway under the theme: “Prevansyon, fòmasyon ak edikasyon se zouti pou konbat vyolans sou fanm ak tifi” (Prevention, training and education are tools in the fight against violence against women and girls ).

“Almost one in three women, aged 15 to 49, is a victim of physical violence in Haiti. I was able to see their pain up close. I was able to listen to their stories, their painful journeys towards reconstruction. But, I was also able to feel their hope and their aspiration for a better life. Their unrivaled courage and resilience must not be overlooked. We must act now and decisively. ", indicates Ulrika Richardson, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, renewing the total commitment of the United Nations to continue to support, with its partners, efforts to combat sexual violence, under the leadership of the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's rights, with the collaboration of Haitian civil society, particularly women's organizations.

This campaign comes at a time when sexual and gender-based violence in the country is reaching alarming levels, following the escalation of violence, particularly in the West and Artibonite departments.

“We watch with concern as cases of sexual violence, such as rape and assault by gangs, are used to sow fear in communities and undermine human rights. This must stop. We refuse to tolerate violence against women in all its forms. We urge the authorities to work for the establishment of a policy and concrete measures aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of women and girls,” insists Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Haiti.

During these 16 days, awareness-raising activities in displaced persons camps, universities, schools and high schools will be carried out around the problem of gender-based violence. This campaign is intended to be an opportunity and a framework for promoting women's rights to combat violence in all its forms in Haiti.

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Appendices and data: HERE

For further information, please contact:

Beatrice Nibogora, Communications Manager of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti; Tel: +509 36537043; Email: nibogorab@un.org

Igor Rugwiza, Communications Manager of the Office of the Resident Coordinator; Tel: +509 48084749; Email: rugwiza@un.org

Mahamadou Abdourhamane, Communications Manager of UN Women in Haiti; Tel: +509 3170 0782; Email: mahamadou.abdourhama@unwomen.org