International Women's Day (IWD) has been observed since in the early 1900's. Yet, violence and discrimination against women still persist. Join us in our IWD activities to advance our continuous fight with advancing women's rights all over the world.

In Haiti, widespread poverty drives many girls to become domestic servants and suffer exploitation and abuse at the hands of their employers. Girls who cannot afford to pay schools fees may do sexual favors in exchange for money to enable them to complete their education. Widespread sexual violence against girls which takes place with impunity often prevents girls from completing their education.

Postcard Campaign

We will be organizing a street action to gather signature from the public. This campaign calls on the Haitian authorities to implement the National Plan to Combat Violence against Women, in particular, to mobilize all necessary resources to protect girls and women from sexual violence.

We are looking for volunteers for this action, click here to reply and indicate your availability if you are interested in joining us. Thank you!

If you cannot physically join our action that day but would still like to take part in this campaign, and have the postcards distributed among your friends, schools, coworkers or community, you can also click here to order the postcard from us for free. The postcards will be mailed to you in the due course. We will also be including them in some of our upcoming newsletter.


Postcard (front)


Postcard (back)


Postcard (text)

Rape and other forms of sexual violence are widespread in Haiti and the majority of the victims are young girls. Those responsible for such crimes are rarely brought to justice.

Each year, a large number of rapes are committed at gunpoint and involve gangs of young men. Dozens of survivors have come forward and courageously spoken about their experiences. However, many remain reluctant to report their attackers to the police for fear of reprisals and because of the shame and stigma that survivors of sexual violence often face.

In 2006, the Haitian government agreed a National Plan to Combat Violence Against Women. However, in practice, protective measures guaranteeing girls’ right to live free from fear and violence remain scarce and inadequate. As a result, girls continue to be at risk of rape and other sexual violence at home and in the community.

TAKE ACTION NOW!
Please sign and send this postcard to the Haitian Prime Minister Mrs. Michèle D. Pierre-Louis

Dear Prime Minister:

I am writing to you to express my deep concern at the levels of sexual violence perpetrated against girls in Haiti, particularly during the carnival period. While the true extent of sexual violence against girls is not known, every year, in Port-au-Prince alone, dozens of girls report being raped at gunpoint by groups of young men.

I therefore urge you and your government to implement all necessary measures to prevent rape and protect girls’ right to live free from violence, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that the victims receive adequate support and reparation.

Yours respectfully,