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The Rise of Feminist Movements in Haiti

In Haiti, the fight for equal rights has been a tremendous effort amongst female activist groups. These activists work towards creating movements in which women can benefit from the same opportunities as the male ratio in the country. They also work towards protecting and putting emphasis on the lack of legal aid women. There has been a number of sexual violence committed against females but a lack of law intervention and enforcement to persecute the offenders. The political instability and structural flaws within the government system allows for women to be mistreated and violated in different ways. Thus another main reason why these female activists actively work towards ending these issues to prevent any further damage from taking place. Today, these activists are becoming major names and symbols of hope and perseverance for Haitian women and females in general.

Looking at the statistics of women in Haiti

The facts and figures of the current state of women in Haiti show that women are not given equal access and benefits compared to the men residing in the country. Not only does this hinder the progression of women achieving beyond their capabilities given the right resources and opportunities, it also perpetuates the inferior status of women in Haiti. For example, 57% of the Haitian population are under 24 years old..This can be used as a motive to strive in the creation of a better economy however that involves the State to put emphasis on equal access to necessities such as education, heath services, and employment opportunities. There are low levels of education in Haiti amongst the female population which in return affects the percentage of females in the workforce. In contrary, there are females who do enter the workforce but because of the education disparity, they enter low levels of work and lack necessary skills to effectively work. The education disparity is also seen in the higher levels of education in which the men are at a much higher percentage of enrolment of 11.8% compared to 6.1% of women. Also when women are to be given an opportunity of work, they are paid lower wages for their labour and do not share the same social security as men when it comes to their jobs . Statistics looking at other sectors of the economy such as property ownership are also low in comparison to men with 9% of women only independently owning land. Statistics also show that 71% of women do not own land or a home. . These disparities in statistics all show the struggle and limited resources the women of Haiti have to endure and why it is a struggles for them to succeed in an environment where their rights are not held at a higher standard.

Feminist Movements in Haiti

Although the status of women in Haiti falls short compared the men of the country, it does not stop women activist groups to use their voices in initiating and fighting for change. A name that has been honoured for her efforts is Haitian feminist Yolette Jeanty. Jeanty is an executive director of the organization Kay Fanm that works towards the social fight for equal rights and justice for women in Haiti. She was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Award, which honours individuals whom have put their efforts towards the contribution of fighting for equal rights for women despite repercussions or risks of speaking out (cite). Jeanty uses her platform to discuss the concerns around issues that have been persistently reoccurring in Haiti such as battery and domestic violence. Also since the earthquake, the rate of prostitution related activities has increased drastically but hasn’t been of voice of concern on the island. The organization is not just striving point for empowerment but also a means of providing shelter, medical, and legal aid for women suffering. However, with the devastating earthquake that happened in 2010, displacing 1.5 million people, largely destructed the property of Kay Fanm and even resulted in the loss of some members. This put a setback to the organization as it has yet to be rebuilt. Yolette Jeanty also used this opportunity to further speak on the international funds and distribution methods in Haiti affairs. She spoke out about the foreigners’ intervention of funds distribution through big NGOs or the HIRC (Haiti International Reconstruction Committee) which is led by Bill Clinton. This meant that decisions are being addressed or led by foreigners who do not have the same knowledge or background education of the reality of Haiti and where to put the money and also the individuals whom use the funds for their own benefits and personal gain.

Margalie Marcelin was the founder and name behind the organization,,she unfortunately passed away during the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Not only did she provide a safe environment for women to use as an escape, Marcelin would accompany the female victims of violence to courtrooms in which she would find lawyers to help argue the cases. Her refuge house, Kay Fanm, became the ideal safe haven for women to escape violence and to also have their voices heard. Marcelin would use her efforts towards the equalization of rights in marriages and also, alongside Anne Marie Coriolan's work, to criminalize rape and end domestic violence. . Her work also transcended into helping women find work, money, or allowing them to stay in the refuge house to escape violence. Marcelin passed away during a meeting with another female who was looking to start a women activist group, her body was found after being extracted from the rubble caused by the earthquake.

Anne Marie Coriolan was also another significant name in the pursuit of equal rights in Haiti. She was the founder of Haitian Women Solidarity and the training Center for Research and Action for Development.She also held a top advisor to the Minister for the Status of Rights and Women..SOFA is amongst the largest women's advocacy groups and had a huge contribution towards ending sexual violence.Due to her contributing efforts, rape became a punishable crime in Haiti. Her progressive voice and actions helped to contribute towards this huge milestone as rape was not seen as a crime at the time. Coriolan too passed away during the devastating 2010 earthquake that occurred in Haiti . These fundamental female leaders left legacy work and organizations to help ensure that the pursuit of equal rights and the protection of females were emphasized and magnified. They all had a common goal of striving towards uplifting the female population of Haiti and vocalizing the social, political, and economical concerns of the living situations of women in Haiti.

History of feminism and the fight for equal rights

When looking at Haitian women rights it is essential to look at the Ligue Feminine d’Action Sociale or otherwise known as the Feminine League for Social Action. This feminist movement is one of the first movements in Haiti that was dedicated towards the fight for protection and rights of Haitian women. It was first founded to protect women from the sexual violence during the US occupation. Founded in 1934, it was banned two months afterwards by the government. The documentation of this group sparked the feminist movement to grow in Haiti and challenge the law that belittled the female gender. A group of wealthy women worked towards changing the law, in the year of 1820, after is was passed that women were to be classified as minors. The movement worked towards launching a counter argument and fighting for political rights, the equality of marriage rights, equal wages, a three week maternity leave that was paid, and the protection of children. They were able to win legal and constitutional rights and women were now able to have positions in elective office, not including presidency however. In 1950, political rights such as the right to vote, with restrictions, became open for women through the advocacy of this group. Later becoming truly free to vote in 1990. In the beginning, the movement held an elite nature and position. Members of the movement were women of a higher class thus fighting for rights that would have been more significantly impactful for their daily lives. Lower class women, did not care so much for political office for example, as it was not something that resonated with their daily lives. It was only until the Duvalier dictatorship in which women were put on the same level, regardless of class, that the upper class, middle, and lower class worked together to become a voice of one against the dictatorship and their rules against the female population. The forced exile also became a contributing factor to the rise of feminist groups and movements in Haiti. In the forced exile that led Haitians fleeing around America and Europe, they experienced the rights and status of women in these areas and brought the experiences and ideas of change they witnessed. After the exit of the Duvalier dictatorship, women took the streets to march in protest for their rights and status.

Responses to the rise of Haitian Female Activism

The female population find these organizations as progressive steps and methods in ensuring a better future for themselves and their children. However that is not to say that the responses to the rise of female activism has been positive. The power shift and vocal individuals has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the government as they oppose for certain rights being fought for. Also, some husbands and fathers have denied the females in their lives from joining the movements or even leaving the house. It has also led to some women being shunned from activist discussions and meetings by other men. The women continue to persevere and push for a greater outcome in their pursuit of equal rights in all sectors of their lives.

The influence of culture on rights, roles, and feminism

Although there has been progressive changes through the differing work and contributions of these activist groups and movements, culture still plays a significant role in why women are seen of lesser value compared to their male counterparts even with their rights. There lies a line in which culture still becomes the conscious norm in which women are seen to be the domestic individuals and wherein their value lies simply in cooking, cleaning, and taking care of kids. This is the lens of patriarchy whereas the feminist groups want women to be more than the domestic duties and be able to contribute to the economically, politically, and socially .

Gender Roles

Gender in Haiti is a prominent stratification. Men and women have different roles and obligations to follow. With their genders also entitles them to certain rights and privileges. The lack of basic needs like education, water, and health resources still prove to show that women are not being sufficiently cared after in their needs. Even in progressive moments, women are still seen to be undervalued and tied down to their complete role of being domesticated. Furthermore, even though they hold a significant impact in the household, the status still lies within the male. The male is seen at the top of the hierarchy in the household. The structural oppression of cultural values in which patriarchy is highly valued, leaves women still at the bottom besides their political activism and participation .

The Extent of Feminist Participation and Backlash

The rise of females participation in different areas of the economy prove to show that the women are getting tired of their conditions and status. However, it goes to show that although women are now more then ever participating heavily in aspects they weren't normally invited into (i.e politics) their voices still only reach a certain level sometimes as their gender prohibits them from being seen as an equal with an equal sense of urgency and importance to their words and the change they hope to see. Reports have shown that since the late 1980, active female participation in politics have increased greatly. In 1991 of September, there was a military intervention in which both women and men were abused in different ways whether it was, for example, political assassination, torture, and detention, and for women, rape and sexual violence became prominent and a way these military exerted their power over the female population. There have been systematic attacks on women's organizations by these militants . The goal of these militaries was to punish and destroy the rising of social groups that supported and advocated for feminism and women rights. The fight for democratic rights led to women being raped and having to deal with other forms of violence in order for groups to take this as a precaution. The repressive military state also abused women as a means of intimidating the rising feminist groups into backing down. .

Class and Feminism

Class and feminism intersect in the struggle and fight for equal women rights in Haiti. The division of upper class, middle class, and the lower class divided the efforts of what the women were fighting for due to the different areas of concern. For example, middle class and upper class had a point towards making sure the political sphere was open to women the same way it was for men. However women of a lower class saw their idea of feminism as a method of survival and basic needs. However, they are now finding it crucial to divide their work into different categories so different voices of varying classes to discuss in hindsight their personal daily issues that makes it difficult for them to live comfortably. The different branches include rural, professionals, popular, and a mixed group. This allows for people from specific sectors to speak on their own behalf and not have another category or class use their voice to identify their struggles .

State and Class of Women during the Duveralist Regime

Women, regardless of what rights they received, were just seen as part of the lower class and hierarchy in compared to the men. They were seen as having to be dependant upon their male counterparts and essentially being of subordinate value. Whatever right they acquired, there was no change in position within the hierarchy. Gender stratification was also seen during the times of slavery for the Haitian women, as they did not receive the same semi-wages during the process between slavery and freedom, when this occurred. Women used their voices to be heard and to vocalize as to why their semi-wages at the time was still lower then the men. Also, when women became mothers they were more politically aware and ready to confront the disparities and discrimination they faced as women. However, the identity of being now a mother prompted for more social push for change as women fought for more rights. State violence was used to assert power onto the women by raping, abusing and punishing them for speaking out. Some women exiles were even held accountable for their relatives actions and had to afflict abuse from the State. This all occurred during the Duveralist regime where women who went against anything that was said was going against the State which was punishable but also seen as an enemy. The state used gender to further hinder any progression of females and to only subject them to abuse if they did work towards equal rights. The Duveralist State also silenced women when it came to political interactions as well. During this State repressiveness, it was very difficult to openly advocate for women rights as the repercussions were indeed harsh .

The Goals of Advocacy in Women Rights Groups

Haitian feminists in Haiti, speak about wanting North American countries to stand in solidarity with their movements and activist groups but also help with resources to ensure they can continue helping other women in Haiti. They need help when it comes to providing training and also other necessities such as medicines. The rise of their feminist efforts started with the focus upon essentially improving the lives of women in the country in order for them to flourish and make the most out of their opportunities. Programs such as literacy programs were started to educate women, as a lot of them did not know how to read. But also, there is the economic aspect of it in which resources are not accessible to women for them to improve their situations. These groups advocate for ways to ensure that rape becomes punishable, or women educate themselves, or the State recognizes and punishes offenders for the offences done unto women. All of these are significant steps in creating a better environment for females to take necessary steps for their futures and also going against the lack of equality. These advocate groups create these spaces whether it is a refuge house or another space of democracy, to simply spread the message of equality and the importance of women getting the same rights as men so they can build their identity and help the economy. Although major names in the social fight for rights have passed away, the movements and groups are still kept alive and carried on by members of the group whom have the same goals as the founders in ensuring women rights in Haiti is put at the forth front. There work has opened doors to new identities being created and laws being changed. These spaces provide areas of mutual respect and support to ensure that women know their voices are heard and their problems can be vocalized and discussed to help in demanding their rights and justice .