Modern Women Leading Haiti
The women of Haiti have seen and endured many hardships surrounding poor economy, domestic abuse and displacement. With these struggles in mind, women and girls have benefited from partnerships with different organisations which have focused on healing women, keeping them safe, raising them up and giving them the means to thrive in modern day life. In modern days, many women have stepped up to lead Haiti towards a brighter future.
Female Voices Matter
Women working in partnership with Rapha International in Haiti have taken social change and progress under their own volition, paving the way for further socio-economic equality and abundance. Without a voice in governmental affairs, equality will not prevail. The project resulted in more than 2,000 women receiving aid or other kinds of support, such as hygiene kits, psychosocial support, etc.
In an article for the United States Institute of Peace, Danielle Saint-Lôt (Haiti’s former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and co-founder of Femmes en Démocratie) proclaims: “For Haiti’s transition to be successful, Haitian women will need to have ownership in the country’s future. And while there is still much to be gained from pressuring transitional leaders to expand women’s inclusion in political processes, Haitian women should also look to build their own collective political power going forward.” It is hoped that Saint-Lôt’s mindset will bring Haitian women closer to an equal right to live.
Winnie Hugot Gabriel
Winnie Hugot Gabriel, president of the Women’s Leadership Forum initiative and Minister for the Status of Women, has set an example for Haitian women to step forward in the path of leadership. Haiti will not see a day closer to a thriving economy and a high standard of living without the advancement of women. With a professional background in law and journalism, Gabriel has shared her voice to women’s issues and rights directly. Additionally, Gabriel is known for authoring “Femmes Haïtiennes: 60 parcours d’exception,” spotlighting influential women of Haiti while empowering the people of Haiti through the Act Haiti organization, fighting gender biases.
Dominique Dupuy
Dominique Dupuy held the diplomatic position of Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs. She has helped many maintain safety and protection through partnership with UNESCO and served her country by most recently, saving Haitians from deportation in the Dominican Republic, strengthening the Haitian army through relations with Brazil as well as gaining the support of the UAE ’s forced deportations of Haitians.
Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis
There are only two women who’ve had the pleasure of calling themselves the Prime Minister of Haiti. One of those women is Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis. As the President of the Fondation Connaissance et Liberté-FOKAL and Minister of Justice and Public Security, Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis serves to fight for human rights against the death penalty. Additionally, she has contributed to the Chemins Critiques Review with her take on society, politics, economics, among others. She’s the recipient of two Doctorates, Doctorate Honoris Causa and Doctorate Honoris Causa.
Novia Augustin
The director of Refuge des Femmes d’Haïti (Ref-Haiti), Novia Augustin, has focused her career on aiding impoverished women from disease and prostitution. She also has legal assistance to sexual assault victims and violence against the LGBTI community. Another aim of hers is to help the women of Kenya who suffer from the AIDS crisis. In her position, Augustin continues to advocate for human rights by representing and investing in feminist groups for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSSM).
Nadine Louis
As Executive Director of TOYA Foundation, Nadine Louis paved the foundation for girls to become leaders of the world, Amnesty International reports. TOYA Foundation’s accomplishments and partnerships with the Haitian Coalition on Women and Health (CHFS), Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) and the Promoteurs Objectifs Zéro Sida (POZ) have secured fund management, free therapy and leadership training. Furthermore, Louis is currently working on ensuring the governmental system protects women and girls from sexual violence.
A New Era For Haitian Leadership
Women in Haiti are the spearhead of change in this new era of leadership. When women share the responsibility of upholding justice, their country will flourish. These five inspiring women and others to follow in their footsteps promise a hopeful future for Haiti and its livelihood.
