By Shayane Dalencourt-Simon
Haiti Advocacy Fellow at Amnesty International
#Haiti #FanmAyisien
In the middle of the 16 days of activism against gender violence, we honor the defense done by women in Haiti and their pivotal role as the diaspora. Amid persistent crisis and colonial legacy in the country, and anti-blackness and anti-Haitian racism abroad, they keep fighting systemic corruption, impunity, AIDS, HIV, and gender discrimination while defending women, girls, and migrants’ rights, the right to citizenship, and economic security for themselves and their families.
The spiral of violence in Haiti during the last years has led to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), which has provided limited information about its procedures, structure, and accountability mechanisms for human rights violations. Considering the troubling history of abuses and impunity associated with past multinational or foreign interventions in Haiti, including the United Nations Stabilization Mission, Amnesty International urges human rights safeguards, transparency and effective participation from civil society and human right defenders on every step of the deployment and afterwards.
Thus, Amnesty International amplifies the vision and demands of 10 Haitian women defenders working under different circumstances, whose experience is critical to ensure that change in Haiti comes with the guarantee of human rights for all.
The widespread violence impacts disproportionately on women, girls and children, turning feminist and women-led organizations into essential actors, especially those offering shelter and protection in the first line of response.
As regards with migrants and returnees, Katia Bonté, who leads the deportees’ rights organization Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatries et Refugies (GARR), addresses the authorities’ responsibilities:
“The [MSSM] is concerning […] due to the spread of cholera from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti where 10 thousand Haitians died and the peacekeepers didn’t face trial in Haiti to hold people accountable…essentially, the Haitian government needs a document with established protocols, responsibilities, and consequences for wrongdoings.”
Novia Augustin is the founder and director of Refuge des Femmes d’Haïti (Ref-Haiti), an organization providing support and advocating for marginalized women, such as sex workers, HIV-positive persons, and LGBTI people by operating a safe house and providing judicial and psychological assistance, family planning, and first aid for rape survivors. She is concerned about the MSSM’s impact on the human rights work of community-led civil society organizations as it is civil society’s work that performs the function of the state. Groups are concerned that the issue of the lack of accountability might be present in the MSSM and protections are needed to ensure civil society groups, especially women and feminist groups, are a part of the solution and not overly relied on for prevention and protection from violations.
Groups are concerned that the issue of the lack of accountability might be present in the MSSM and protections are needed to ensure civil society groups, especially women and feminist groups, are a part of the solution and not overly relied on for prevention and protection from violations
Novia Augustin, founder and director of Ref-Haiti
At this moment, groups like hers say it is: “The Haitian Government’s responsibility to work with Kenya to prevent human rights violations but we continue to denounce violence, advocate, and assist victims.”
Pascale Solages is the co-founder and general coordinator of Nègès Mawon, a feminist organization based in Haiti fighting for the rights and freedom of Haitian women. The organization created the « Sisterhood »: a program to provide multidimensional services to gender-based violence survivors, including legal, economical, medical and psychological support. Solages is clear to say: “Haitian women are actors, leaders and survivors. Not just victims of violence and migrants fleeing their homes.”
Haitian women are actors, leaders and survivors. Not just victims of violence and migrants fleeing their homes
Pascale Solages, co-founder and general coordinator of Nègès Mawon
Nadine Louis, executive director of Fondation TOYA, which trains girls to become leaders, supporting their projects, and valuing their community initiatives also points that:
“[t]he greatest obstacle to advancing [my] work in Haiti is the chronic impunity endorsed by the judicial system […]. A comprehensive approach is needed to support victims of sexual violence. Authorities must take responsibility […] by mobilizing ethical professionals such as lawyers, judgment of perpetrators, and protection for those who file complaints.”
Human rights guarantee and emancipation shall come for all women. Régine M. T. Zéphirin Diègue, General Coordinator of Mouvement pour l’Intégration et l’Émancipation des Femmes Handicapées – (MIEFH), is a wheelchair user and works along with women with disabilities to challenge and tackle ableist policies and practices. She states that:
“Women with disabilities in Haiti face numerous challenges worsened by socio-political crises and the proliferation of armed gangs, leading to mass displacement, increased financial vulnerability, and a lack of social inclusion and accessibility. MIEFH seeks to alleviate these difficulties by strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations and promoting social inclusion initiatives.”
Women with disabilities in Haiti face numerous challenges worsened by socio-political crises (…) MIEFH seeks to alleviate these difficulties by strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations and promoting social inclusion initiatives
Regine, general coordinator of MIEFH
On the same line, Hetera Estimphil, president of the organization KOURAJ, the first LGBTQIA+ rights-based organization in Haiti fighting gender-based violence and discrimination, refers to the differentiated impacts from widespread violence. The impact of insecurity doesn’t discriminate as:
“You’re victimized twice due to a person’s marginalized background and lack of education, and it is exacerbated due to the lack of a functioning government. I believe change will happen once the security issue, such as the end of trafficking of guns, technical assistance to the Haitian National Police, and equipment is solved.”
Defenders note that the rights guarantee starts and does not end with curbing the violence since there are several social, economic, cultural and political factors to address to ensure a life free of violences. On that line, Daphné Valmond Bourgoin established Tisaksuk, a company promoting and selling “Made in Haiti” products. She is the executive director of Atelier Tisaksuk, an organization training and creating jobs for Haitians, and is an anti-corruption activist with Nou Pap Domi, one of the organizations which spearheaded the 2018 “KotKobPetwoKaribe” movement against corruption. Along with Pascale Solages of Nègès Mawon, she provides women survivors of violence with a safe house and job training.
“Despite the challenges and risks, my activism is driven by a commitment to justice and change in Haiti. Corruption and impunity have stifled opportunities, but empowering individuals, especially youth and women, can ignite the needed change. Haitians should thrive in their country, not just survive.”
Despite the challenges and risks, my activism is driven by a commitment to justice and change in Haiti. Corruption and impunity have stifled opportunities, but empowering individuals, especially youth and women, can ignite the needed change. Haitians should thrive in their country, not just survive
Daphné Valmond, director of Tisaksuk and activist with Nou Pap Domi
Mutchi Obas, Executive Director of Zantray Fanm Kreyol (ZAFAK), a feminist organization fighting for the socio-economic and political emancipation of Haitian women, and which works with women and children impacted by violence asserts: “Not only are women restricted in the public sphere but deprived of ownership over their bodies as seen in [the case of] abortion, whether for rape, incest, or personal reasons. But we must build laws about inclusion, as most of the laws are built on women’s exclusion and discrimination.” Mutchi returned to Haiti after college and as a survivor of abuse herself, she opened her own mental health and holistic wellbeing clinic.
Similarly, Nathalie Vilgrain, co-founder of Marijàn, a feminist and political organization providing comprehensive services to girls affected by gender-based violence, gender equity education programs, and advocating for the legalization of abortion, adds:
“Women are unfortunately the most disadvantaged by [the instability in Haiti], and see their rights being eroded daily. The international community must pay attention to Haitian feminists and human rights activists, putting their voices at the center of discussions. A Haitian solution must be found for a Haitian crisis because imposed solutions have never worked.”
Women are unfortunately the most disadvantaged by [the instability in Haiti], and see their rights being eroded daily. The international community must pay attention to Haitian feminists and human rights activists, putting their voices at the center of discussions
Nathalie Vilgrain, co-founder of Marijàn
For her part, Carine Jocelyn started the Haitian Women’s Collective (HWC) a network of 20 local partners, primarily led by Haitian women, which provides education, youth services, civic engagement, leadership training for girls, sexual and reproductive health, and economic development. On the MSSM she emphasizes:
“There needs to be a confidential complaint mechanism and inclusion of civil society, rehabilitation of youth gang members, and community centers to support women and girls who are victims of violence. Overall, the US has the power to stop the trafficking of guns, support localization goals for development in Haiti and contest anti-racist policies in general.”
On these 16 days of activism against gender violence, Amnesty International recognizes this pivotal work and legacy of these Haitian women human rights defenders and reinforces its call that any lasting solution for the crisis in the country must be led by Haitians, with the effective participation of feminist human rights defenders and organizations.