Women in Haiti : their struggle for autonomy and equality

The impact of Haiti’s earthquake will not be gender-neutral after two centuries of imperialism and economic exploitation, the lack of international response likewise is not ‘racially’ neutral. During the rebuild in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake that killed over 230,000 people the women’s movement and prominent women’s rights activists were excluded from the assessment forums and given few powers in the rebuild of their own country. 60% of female-led households in Haiti pre-2010 earthquakes, were living in extreme poverty (IMF) and following the earthquake, there was a huge increase in gender-based violence, with UK and EU ‘Aid’ organisations being amongst the perpetrators. We stand in solidarity with the women of Haiti, supporting their struggle for autonomy and equality. We demand that women are central to Haiti’s recovery and the leadership of this once matriarchally led country.