Haitian women and girls are facing an alarming level of violence, including threats of rape, in makeshift displacement camps due to a surge of gang violence in Haiti. The lack of infrastructure in the camps, such as lighting and locks for bedrooms and toilets, puts women and girls at a heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Gender-based violence has reached alarming levels in the camps, with most cases of aggression against women and girls and rape being used as deliberate tactics to control access to humanitarian assistance.
The UN report highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to address the safety and security of women and girls in Haiti. With more than 578,000 Haitians internally displaced, over half of whom are women and girls, the need for protection and support is critical. The presence of 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti has not fully addressed the security situation, and displaced Haitians continue to live in substandard conditions as they wait to safely return home.
Despite efforts to respond to the displacement crisis, including the management of makeshift camps by civil society leaders and pastors, the challenges faced by displaced Haitians persist. There are significant shortages of basic necessities such as toilets, healthcare, and education in the camps. Many of the women surveyed in the report expressed a lack of access to essential services and aid since arriving at the displacement sites, highlighting the urgent need for increased support and assistance.
The deployment of international police forces in Haiti has been met with criticism and skepticism, with concerns raised about potential abuses and systemic problems in the country. Haitian human rights advocates have emphasized the need for safeguards to prevent abuses and ensure the protection of displaced communities. The security situation in Haiti remains shaky, with ongoing violence and instability posing significant risks to the safety and well-being of women and girls in the camps.
UN Women’s report underscores the unprecedented level of insecurity and brutality, including sexual violence, faced by women in Haiti at the hands of gangs. The agency’s executive director, Sima Bahous, has called for immediate action to combat gender-based violence and ensure the safety and protection of women and girls in Haiti. The humanitarian crisis in the country requires a coordinated and comprehensive response to address the root causes of violence and displacement, provide essential services and support to those in need, and work towards a more secure and stable future for all Haitians.
