Increasing sexual violence against women in Haiti must be addressed...

Julsaint has recently returned from a solidarity visit to Haiti with the ecumenical ‘Living Letters’ team and is concerned about the levels of violence, especially sexual violence, against women and young women. “Women and young women who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence are unable to get legal assistance and support. The judiciary system is not working in general and poor, marginalised women are the last to have access. The rule of law is inexistent in Haiti and there is so much stigma attached to rape that women prefer to remain silent.” 

Silence is not a reaction Julsaint will be looking for from the CEDAW Committee. “I hope they will insist that there needs to be more data on the extent of sexual violence and rape on girls in Haiti. There needs to be a specific national law prohibiting violence against women, including different forms of violence such as psychological violence in Haiti. This is currently inexistent, although Haiti has ratified CEDAW.” 

Julsaint says although there is a lot of work to be done, progress has been made for the women of Haiti. "In 2005, a national plan of action to fight against violence against women was adopted for the 2006 - 2011 period. The Ministry for Women (Ministère de la Condition Féminine) has worked hard and in collaboration with many women's NGOs to put this 7th periodic combined report but still so much needs to be done," says Julsaint. 

The YWCA of Haiti works in education and leadership of women and girls and will explore the issue of violence against women at the upcoming Caribbean YWCA Regional Training Institute 'Women Unite Now! Creating a Caribbean free of Violence Against Women and HIV’. 

The 2007 YWCA World Council adopted a resolution requesting the YWCA movement to place emphasis on CEDAW implementation as an affirmation of the organisation's commitment to global action for women. ‘This important resolution calls on YWCAs to take part in the monitoring and implementation of CEDAW in their countries,” says World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda. 

The full list of countries to present country reports at the 43rd CEDAW session are Armenia , Cameroon , Dominica , Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Libya and Rwanda. 

The post is an excerpt from an article by YWCA member (Published: 15th jan, 2009)