The Use of Women's Bodies as a Weapon of War, the Expression of Femicide in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE.__ Sexual violence has, for some time, become a powerful weapon of war, used by gangs, inflicting unbearable suffering on the population.

At a crucial moment when gangs are proliferating in the metropolitan area, sexual violence, particularly gang rapes and the sexual exploitation of girls, has become commonplace.

The story of Natacha, the assumed name of a woman around 40 years old, gives an idea of the tragedy of several dozen women raped and/or sexually exploited in the Carrefour-Feuilles neighborhood. “He didn't even blindfold me. They did it in front of my daughter, before leaving with her for several days,” she recounts, crying.

Natacha's daughter was a 21-year-old dancer, like her mother. Both live with the bad memories of that night of November 18, 2022. “She returned to me, by chance, after two days of sequestration where vagrants abused her, without a condom,” Natacha continues, thanking God that her daughter did not get pregnant.

In most cases, like that of the woman and her daughter, no complaint was filed with the competent authorities, and some of these women did not receive medical care. This is because almost all specialized hospitals in this field have closed their doors due to the violence.

*A weapon of war to conquer lost territories*

The bodies of women and girls are increasingly used by gangs to coerce communities and assert their domination. “Gang rape of women by police officers or men, members of vigilance brigades, is particularly frequent for annexing areas to their spoils during territorial conquests,” reported Rosie Ducéna Auguste, program manager for the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH).

“According to the complaints we receive every day, the bandits forced their victims to call them _Madan Chef la_ during the rapes,” Auguste reports, describing the cruelty that permeates these acts of barbarity.

*The expression of increased femicide in Haiti*

Sexual violence orchestrated by gangs is spreading to areas once free of the capital. According to a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, several victims were shot dead after being raped.

“Under threat of arms, many victims are attacked in their homes, while others are abducted, raped in public places while traveling on public transport,” reported High Commissioner Volker Türk before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“The Office also documented the forced recruitment, exploitation, and trafficking of children, particularly girls, for sexual exploitation by gangs,” detailed Mr. Türk.

During the period under review, between July 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025, 4,239 people were killed. According to the OHCHR, over 90% of the victims were killed by firearms. A large proportion of these victims are women who suffered atrocious gang rapes before being executed, the report highlighted.