Socio-economic Integration: Nearly 300 Women Graduate in Non-Traditional Trades

They chose trades long reserved for men. 289 single mothers and women received their diplomas in Port-au-Prince on January 25, 2026. Named « Mylourie SYLFRARD », this first cohort is trained in strategic technical fields. A strong step towards women's economic empowerment in Haiti. The Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's Rights (MCFDF) organized, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Karibe Hotel, the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Socio-economic Integration Project for single mothers and women, named « Mylourie SYLFRARD ». In total, 289 beneficiaries completed their training in sectors still largely dominated by men. The ceremony was held in the presence of the cohort's patron, Madame Raïna Forbin, MCFDF executives, representatives of partner institutions, and relatives of the graduates. On behalf of the beneficiaries, Madame Shedelie Phanor expressed her gratitude to the authorities and project partners. She called on the graduates to value the skills acquired and to practice their trades professionally to serve as role models for other women. Minister Pedrica Saint Jean highlighted the symbolic significance of this graduation, emphasizing the diversity of chosen fields, particularly in construction, electricity, solar energy, and new technologies. She reaffirmed the State's commitment to promoting equal opportunities and women's economic empowerment. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas, professional kits, and financial support aimed at facilitating the professional integration of the graduates and the launch of their income-generating activities. This cohort name comes from the story of a young woman who was seen working courageously on the canal construction site in Ouanaminthe in the Northeast, where she worked as a rebar technician, a construction role largely performed by men. The editorial team