Haiti: “Nou Kapab”, an incubator to train young girls in civic leadership
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince · · 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Facing a national context marked by instability, school dropout, and the marginalization of young girls, the Fòk Yo La Political Action Committee relies on hope and training. Its initiative, the Nou Kapab Incubator, aims to strengthen the leadership and civic participation of Haitian adolescent girls through a civic and community training program.
Conceived as a response to the low rate of political participation among Haitian women, this program operates in a predominantly young country, where youth participation in public life remains low — and that of young girls even more marginal.
It is for this reason that the committee established the Nou Kapab incubator: to instill values of citizenship, commitment, and responsibility from adolescence. The objective is to prepare these young girls to become active agents of change within their community and the country. Training a new generation of female leaders The program's objective is clear: to train a new generation of young female leaders, capable of conceiving and advocating for civic initiatives. To achieve this, Nou Kapab relies on a participatory pedagogy that combines training workshops, experience sharing, and the implementation of community projects. Participants are trained across several areas: leadership, communication, project management, gender equality, and advocacy. The idea is to enable them to acquire practical skills while developing their sense of solidarity, responsibility, and collective commitment. “The incubator gave me the confidence to launch my project. I now know that my voice matters,” testifies Esaica Altéma, 16.
For May Lexpennecia Pierre, 15, this experience transformed her perception of her role in society: “Nou Kapab changed the way I see my role in my community.” From workshops to field action Beyond theory, young girls are encouraged to design and implement mini-civic projects in their neighborhoods or schools. These initiatives allow them to get concretely involved in local life and measure the impact of their commitment. “Mwen aprann anpil bagay, epi mwen menm tou gen anpil travay ki fèt nan mwen,” confides Judeline Pierre, 17, referring to the personal transformation experienced throughout the program.
“Mwen te aprann ke nou dwe gen solidarite ak tèt ansanm,” adds Friztna Neptune, 16, emphasizing the importance of collective work. Creating a network of engaged young girls Beyond individual training, the incubator aims to build a network of Nou Kapab Clubs across schools and local communities. These clubs will become spaces for continuity, mentorship, and civic mobilization among young leaders and experienced women. For Abigail MJ Pierre-Louis, 15, this dynamic has already borne fruit:
“Thanks to the program, I have acquired the tools to mobilize other young people around me.” A bet on the future and female solidarity With Nou Kapab, the Fòk Yo La Committee intends to contribute to a more equitable society where young girls are not only trained but also recognized as agents of change.
The program thus promotes a vision of collaborative female leadership, where every voice counts and where solidarity becomes a lever for empowerment. In a country where economic and social challenges weigh heavily on youth, Nou Kapab embodies a bold response: empowering girls to believe in themselves, to act, and to build, step by step, a better future. By Gesly Sinvilier
It is for this reason that the committee established the Nou Kapab incubator: to instill values of citizenship, commitment, and responsibility from adolescence. The objective is to prepare these young girls to become active agents of change within their community and the country. Training a new generation of female leaders The program's objective is clear: to train a new generation of young female leaders, capable of conceiving and advocating for civic initiatives. To achieve this, Nou Kapab relies on a participatory pedagogy that combines training workshops, experience sharing, and the implementation of community projects. Participants are trained across several areas: leadership, communication, project management, gender equality, and advocacy. The idea is to enable them to acquire practical skills while developing their sense of solidarity, responsibility, and collective commitment. “The incubator gave me the confidence to launch my project. I now know that my voice matters,” testifies Esaica Altéma, 16.
For May Lexpennecia Pierre, 15, this experience transformed her perception of her role in society: “Nou Kapab changed the way I see my role in my community.” From workshops to field action Beyond theory, young girls are encouraged to design and implement mini-civic projects in their neighborhoods or schools. These initiatives allow them to get concretely involved in local life and measure the impact of their commitment. “Mwen aprann anpil bagay, epi mwen menm tou gen anpil travay ki fèt nan mwen,” confides Judeline Pierre, 17, referring to the personal transformation experienced throughout the program.
“Mwen te aprann ke nou dwe gen solidarite ak tèt ansanm,” adds Friztna Neptune, 16, emphasizing the importance of collective work. Creating a network of engaged young girls Beyond individual training, the incubator aims to build a network of Nou Kapab Clubs across schools and local communities. These clubs will become spaces for continuity, mentorship, and civic mobilization among young leaders and experienced women. For Abigail MJ Pierre-Louis, 15, this dynamic has already borne fruit:
“Thanks to the program, I have acquired the tools to mobilize other young people around me.” A bet on the future and female solidarity With Nou Kapab, the Fòk Yo La Committee intends to contribute to a more equitable society where young girls are not only trained but also recognized as agents of change.
The program thus promotes a vision of collaborative female leadership, where every voice counts and where solidarity becomes a lever for empowerment. In a country where economic and social challenges weigh heavily on youth, Nou Kapab embodies a bold response: empowering girls to believe in themselves, to act, and to build, step by step, a better future. By Gesly Sinvilier
