Global Girl Project has been collaborating with girls in Haiti soon after our conception in 2014. This blog is driven by the need to fill the void left by the lack of news coverage on Haiti. Recognising the surge of violence, political unrest, and their impact on the lives of Haitian citizens, we aim to shed light on these overlooked realities and spark conversations about their strength and mobilisation. By amplifying our girls’ voices, we strive to shed a light on the broad situation faced by, and the power of, our girls in Haiti as well as our programme partners, Foundation TOYA, and all Haitians in this time.
Currently, Haiti is experiencing a surge of violence and political unrest, which has left its citizens in a state of fear and uncertainty. Armed gangs and vigilantes have clashed in the streets of Port-au-Prince, the country's capital, with civilians taking up arms against the heavily armed criminals who control more than 80% of the capital. The situation has escalated to a point where the United Nations has compared it to a civil war. Understanding the effect of violence needs an intersectional lens: girls from the Global South are the most marginalised and oppressed group in the world and the escalation of political unrest and violence will only aggravate these conditions. The impact of violence everywhere (as in Haiti) is not uniform across all communities. The poorest and most marginalised communities are often the most affected, with limited access to resources and support. Girls from these communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of violence and political unrest, with limited access to education and healthcare. Girls from wealthy families may have more opportunities and resources, but they too are impacted by the violence in ways different to boys in these communities and families. To address the challenges faced by girls in Haiti, we need to invest in programmes that address the root causes of violence and poverty, and support girls' education and opportunities. These programmes must be tailored to the specific needs of different communities.
Haiti has a long history of foreign interference, dating back to the 17th century when the French colonised the island and enslaved local populations. The consequent Haitian Revolution was the only successful slave revolt in history, and it had a profound impact on the abolition of slavery throughout the Americas. However this has not stopped foreign intervention in Haiti which includes interventions by the United States, the United Nations peacekeeping missions and many more, some triggered by the two devastating earthquakes Haiti has sustained in the last fifteen years. These interventions have often been motivated by economic interests, and typically have a negative impact on Haitians.
Girls in Haiti are already facing significant challenges, including poverty, gender-based violence, and cultural norms that prioritise boys' education and freedom. Political unrest and violence only compound these challenges, isolating girls and hindering their already limited chances of gaining an education. Despite the challenges they face, girls in Haiti are resilient and determined to succeed. They are fighting for their right to an education, and they are using their voices to speak out against violence and injustice. When we hear our girls in Haiti, talking about leadership, they share that for them, it's about helping others grow and achieve their dreams. It's about giving people hope. Leadership is also about learning about each other, learning about situations, and learning about the people in our lives. And most importantly, leadership is about helping others. Our girls in Haiti are leaders. They are an inspiration to us all.
Clyfane, our current facilitator in Haiti, is our longest ever programme Global Girl Leadership Initiative (GGLI) facilitator and has delivered the programme eleven times. She has seen first-hand the power girls have if they are given the space and support to unleash it. It is vital to recognise that Haiti encompasses so much more than these obstacles which is reflected in the dynamism, vibrancy, enthusiasm, and power exuded by the girls in Haiti. Their untold story, though often overlooked, holds immense significance.
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Learn more about what is happening in Haiti:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/30/haiti-port-au-prince-violence-gangs-police
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-65381624
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/17/haiti-sees-rise-of-vigilante-justice-as-gang-violence-soars
https://www.aljazeera.com/where/haiti/
Books:
Sheroes of the Haitian Revolution by Bayyinah Bello
Black Spartacus by Sudhir Hazareesingh
The Black Jacobins by C.L.R James