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US Congressional Action Alert
Security, Economic Recovery, and National Reconciliation in Haiti
April 8, 2024
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell visited Haiti on Monday, April
5, to meet with representatives of Haiti’s Interim Government.
During his visit, the Secretary announced several initiatives to
help Haiti’s security, economic recovery, and national reconciliation.
The list of priorities fails to include gender relevant components.
It is imperative to include women at all levels of Haiti’s
reconstruction to ensure that their concerns and interests are
addressed.
Security: The US plans to deploy immediately a seven-member team
to advise the Interim Government on security issues.
Action Point: A gender advisor should be included on the team,
to ensure that women’s security issues are addressed and
incorporated into the broader reconstruction plan.
Urgent Employment Generation: In addition to an ongoing $52 million
economic development and humanitarian assistance program, the US
will begin an urgent three-year jobs program, which will provide
tens of thousands of jobs to improve municipal infrastructure and
create jobs in Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien, Gonaives, and other
locations. The project will rebuild schools and public buildings
destroyed by rioting and burning; build new roads; and improve
community water supplies.
| Action Point: Ensure that women are involved at all levels of
the employment projects, as planners, implementers, and beneficiaries.
In addition to micro-finance and empowerment/training programs,
the project should incorporate programs that create employment
opportunities for women. |
Democracy and Human Rights: The US will allocate $9 million for
elections and democracy building to support activities of the OAS
Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti, in addition
to the special voluntary contribution of $4.9 million recently
given to the Special Mission. Some activities may include: support
for government efforts aimed at the full observance of human rights
and fundamental freedoms; efforts to professionalize the Haitian
National Police through special training; and support to Haiti’s
new Truth, Justice, and National Reconciliation Commission.
| Action Point: Based on the successful South African model, women
at the local level should be consulted on the processes and mechanisms
for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Women must be included
in trainings on issues of democracy, governance, and human rights
protection. Special attention needs to be paid to covering rape
and other gender based crimes. |
Elections: $500,000 will be provided for public education programs
to prepare for elections, conduct public opinion polling, and conduct
training for political parties to develop candidates.
| Action Point: Specific funds should be set aside to cultivate
and train women leaders to run for political office. In addition,
there should be a program developed for women’s civic and
voter education. |
We encourage you or your representative to contact the following
individuals to address these concerns regarding the planning and
implementation related to Haiti:
John Maisto
Permanent Representative of the United States
Organization of American States
Roger Francisco Noriega
Assistant Secretary of State
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
US Department of State
Adolfo A. Franco
Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean
US Agency for International Development
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