Haiti's Feminist Movement Needs New Leaders

Modern Haitian feminist organizations were formed after Jean-Claude Duvalier was ousted in 1986. Their aim was to advocate for all women, regardless of economic status. Feminists were very proactive during periods of military rule or foreign occupation on the island, exposing atrocities being committed on women's bodies. Some of the crimes included rape, amputation, and other forms of brutality and humiliation. These acts were done to empower political factions and foreign interests seeking to rule or occupy Haiti.

In response to the violence, feminist organizations dispersed information about the heinous crimes being perpetrated on women to news-media outlets, and in academic publications and forums. The crimes were also publicized within the international community.

Since the earthquake set back the feminist movement, what needs to happen is to rebuild its architecture. This means achieving equality at national and local levels; proactive engagement in domestic violence and women's health issues; and reformation of trade-balance laws, negatively affecting women agricultural workers.

In the last decade, working-class jobs have been disappearing. The UN is implementing an initiative to build more manufacturing plants, but without safeguards enforced to protect women against institutionalized rape, no forward progress can be made to achieve women's equality.

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Read more: Woman, Feminist Movement, Myriam Merlet, Magalie Maralin, Anne Marie Coriolan, Culture

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