A feminist and inclusive vision to help solve the crisis in Haiti

The rich experience of our programming in Haiti indicates that it is important that the voices of those with lived experience play a key role in developing solutions to the country’s economic, political and humanitarian crisis, despite the security and logistical challenges that have persisted for nearly three years. In addition to being without a president since Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in 2021, the country has not held legislative or general elections since 2019, and there are no longer publicly elected officials with valid mandates in place. Judicial institutions and the national police force are struggling to govern the country, which is now largely under gang control.

In the midst of this power vacuum, local actors are mobilizing on a daily basis to provide Haitians with basic services and necessary support. It is in fact civil society that is at the heart of efforts to promote solidarity and overcome state weaknesses and the grip of criminal violence. But this phenomenon is not new to Haiti. Civil society has spearheaded some of the main struggles in the country’s development over the past 30 years, particularly to oppose dictatorship and corruption and to promote social justice.

A wealth of local and feminist knowledge

Haitian women’s rights organizations have strong grassroots support and are recognized as having a great capacity to influence. Their proximity to vulnerable groups and the agility of their actions enable them to provide effective support in the face of crisis. In fact, the Haitian women’s movement has long been recognized as an important driver of positive change in the country. The first Haitian women’s organization, the Ligue féminine d’action sociale, began operating in March 1934 and quickly contributed to a better understanding of the realities facing Haitian women, as well as the status of children born to unmarried parents and the conditions experienced by women from the working class and rural sectors. Another notable gain for feminists was the recognition of civil and political rights for Haitian women in 1950. Despite subsequent decades marred by dictatorship, earthquakes, health crises and economic insecurity, Haitian feminism has continued to demand change and greater equity.

This part of the country’s history, though often overlooked, shines a light on the influence and capacity of women’s groups to mobilize the population and advance social justice and inclusion. The Mouka documentary space sponsored by IDRC is designed to promote Haitian feminist knowledge on violence against women, paid domestic work and maternal health. This documentary space provides access to a wide range of materials on gender in Haiti, which includes the promotion of Creole literature. In this way, the project helps to highlight the struggles and advances toward greater equality and to illustrate winning strategies for intervention and advocacy to strengthen the work of women’s organizations in Haiti.

Merging knowledge with that of the diaspora

An exploratory study conducted by the Institut d'études internationales de Montréal (IEIM) has confirmed the potential influence of women’s rights organizations and their ability to develop solutions to the crisis. The IEIM research team, made up of Canadian and Haitian experts from the diaspora, was able to determine that these organizations were deeply committed, authentic and able to intervene locally and internationally.

Reporting and dialogue event held by the Institut d'études internationales de Montréal on November 17, 2023, in Montréal. Among the key speakers, three active members of the diaspora — Martine St-Victor from Edelman Montréal, Patrick Gilles from PG Stratégies and Chantal Ismé from Maison d’Haïti — responded to the study’s findings, with Étienne Côté-Paluck from the Dèyè mòn enfo Haitian collective. 

IDRC is also funding action-research projects coordinated by Laval University and the IEIM to help resolve the crisis. These efforts involve partnerships with Haitian universities and civil society organizations to identify avenues for citizen participation and to develop concrete ways to help bring about a democratic state. Within the research teams, the key roles in Canadian entities are held by Haitian experts in the diaspora. This structure helps to put into perspective improper power relationships and inequalities that are rooted in the colonial past and legacy. The Haitian experts thus provide possible solutions for dismantling traditional hierarchies and offer a unifying leadership for the necessary democratic dialogue. 

The “brain drain” issue is recognized as a major obstacle to harnessing Haiti’s potential. But it is also possible to view it as seamless brain circulation. The Haitian diaspora is the driving force behind many significant projects on Haitian soil, whether it be in terms of designing training programs — think, for example, of the Institut des sciences, des technologies et des études avancées d’Haïti — or developing flagship projects such as those led by the KANPE Foundation. In the case of research activities, this merging of knowledge, combining local experience with scientific and methodological knowledge, provides a wealth of mutual learning.

The contribution of knowledge in times of crisis

The humanitarian and security situation in Haiti remains of concern, although a Transitional Presidential Council is now in place. Its task of restoring security, facilitating a return to the rule of law and ensuring that free and democratic elections are held by August 2025 appears difficult and complex. The fact that only one of the nine members of the Transitional Presidential Council is a woman does not do justice to the rich contributions that women have made to the country’s development. This serious oversight also runs the risk of burying women's demands and the setback of certain rights related to equality, autonomy and social justice. As the population perceives political transition efforts as being led by the elite, it appears that these efforts will only be viewed as legitimate if women are involved.

IDRC’s new investments in the country build on our long-standing experience and interventions in numerous countries transitioning from war to peace, from dictatorship to democracy and from closed economies to market economies. These investments reflect our confidence in supporting Haitian women’s organizations and civil society, in collaboration with the diaspora, so that they can create the necessary spaces for consultation and dialogue and lead the country toward democratic and inclusive governance.