End of 16 Days of Activism: ACFEL Demands Justice and Reparation for Victims of Sexual Assault

December 10 marks the end of the sixteen days of activism launched by several feminist organizations. One of the instigators of all the activities that marked the period, the Cultural Association of Women in Struggle (ACFEL), on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, took the opportunity to launch an urgent appeal to the country's various authorities: “Justice and reparation for all victims of sexual assault in the country,” such is the cry of Costarica Louis, coordinator of the organization.

According to Ms. Louis, women and girls are victims of assaults throughout the day in Haiti, particularly in this context marked by an acute security and humanitarian crisis. “In the camps, women are vulnerable; they are harassed all the time,” she noted.

“Rape, physical and psychological violence, sexual exploitation, social and legal abandonment, among others, are the most frequent cases,” the coordinator specified.

Furthermore, Ms. Louis urges the authorities to establish a special commission composed of the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Women's Affairs, and the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. Its main mission will be to urgently intervene or provide support to victims of aggression in displaced persons' camps.

ACFEL encourages the authorities to open reception and care centers for all women victims and urges them to take their responsibilities by guaranteeing rights and justice for all.