Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the National Symposium on the Place of Women in the Transition, Edgard Leblanc Fils, the President of the Transitional Council, as guest of honor, insisted on the role of the State in strengthening the role of women in the transition, so that they are better able to fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

This symposium organized by the Ministry for the Status of Women, is a call for consultation between the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), the government and civil society actors so that the public authorities can adopt the best strategies and give themselves the means to effectively fight against GBV.

In his opening speech, President Leblanc stated

"[...] If we take into account the percentage of women in the Haitian population and the prominent role they play, the public authorities have everything to gain if they manage to first counteract gender-based violence and then eradicate it, thus freeing up all the potential of Haitian women for their full contribution to the development of the country. Representing 52% of the population, of which nearly 45% are of reproductive age, Haitian women head approximately 60% of single-parent families. They are therefore the only ones to provide access to education and health for their children in a context of insecurity where gangs use rape and sexual slavery as a weapon to control the populations of the areas they covet.

[...] The best way to combat GBV is to achieve parity in the government team and the unlimited participation of women in both the design and implementation of reforms that concern them. Such a strategy necessarily requires strong participation in active politics. This will ultimately lead to remarkable integration in both branches of Parliament. Thus, women could participate directly in the design and implementation of public policies intended to govern Haitian society.

[...] I hope that the debates will be enriching. They will allow the Presidential Transitional Council and members of the Government to have a very interesting tool for adopting measures aimed at permanently including women and girls in Haiti's political life. I wish you all good work. Thank you !"

IH/ iciHaiti