“Strengthening Support for Haiti,” the Message of Minister for Women's Affairs, Pedrica Saint Jean, at the UN Tribune

The Minister for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights is participating in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held from March 15 to 23, 2025, at the United Nations headquarters. At the tribune, the minister called on the international community to strengthen its support for Haiti, particularly for the protection of women and girls, who are the primary victims of armed violence.

In a vibrant speech, the minister painted a grim picture of the country's current situation, particularly for women and girls who are killed and raped throughout the day.

“Insecurity has reached unbearable proportions. Every day, women and girls are lynched, burned, raped, murdered. Gangs stop at nothing, not even the massacre of children,” declared Ms. Saint Jean, specifying that Haiti is not asking for charity, but justice.

“The Haitian people are not asking for charity, but for justice. Our women have the right to life, dignity, and a future. They die every day in general indifference. Haiti needs you, more than ever,” she said emotionally, calling on UN member states to unite in favor of the Haitian women's cause.

The Minister took the opportunity to present some advances in the fight for women's rights and some work already done to reduce gender inequality governance.

“We have launched a socio-economic integration program for single mothers and vulnerable women in the country's seven departments, financed by the public treasury. But how can empowerment progress when survival itself is threatened?” questioned the minister.

In this dramatic context, the ministry collaborates with civil society organizations to offer psychosocial support to displaced women and survivors of violence. A National Action Plan aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security – is being implemented, with the support of UN Women and the French Development Agency. This plan aims to strengthen women's capacities to become key actors in peacebuilding.

“The Haitian population, and women in particular, are ready to work for the return of peace. But they need your solidarity,” insisted Pedrica Saint Jean. She also thanked allied countries supporting the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), engaged alongside Haitian forces to try and restore order.

The minister urged the women members of the Commission on the Status of Women to stand up for their Haitian sisters. “If we do not speak for them today, who will do so tomorrow?” she asked, emphasizing that challenges related to gender equality cannot be addressed without peace and security.