U.S. Government's Work in Haiti: Gender-based Violence

Addressing Challenges

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a chronic problem in Haiti. The risk of violence and sexual exploitation against women and girls, exacerbated by political instability and the economic crises, likely increased following the earthquake. The United Nations and human rights organizations reported increased incidence of rape in the months immediately after the earthquake; women and girls who continue to live in precarious conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Promoting women’s empowerment and reducing GBV are critical to Haiti’s development; and combating GBV is a priority for the U.S. Government (USG). Effectively addressing GBV requires immediate action to improve security and support survivors as well as sustained engagement to reduce vulnerability through legislative action, community outreach, and economic empowerment. The weakness of the Haitian justice system makes it difficult for GBV survivors to find redress; the fear of reprisals and social stigma attached to being a victim of sexual violence contributes to underreporting; and a lack of comprehensive baseline data makes strategic response planning more difficult. To tackle these challenges, the USG is working with the Government of Haiti (GOH), Haitian civil society (including many women-led organizations), and the international community to address pressing needs as well as provide support for long-term GBV prevention.

Improving Security

Immediately after the earthquake, the USG acted quickly to improve security for the most vulnerable populations, including women and girls, to minimize the risks for harm, exploitation, and abuse.

• Funding preventative security measures. USAID programs provided direct support and technical assistance to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for a campaign against rape. USAID has supported the procurement and installation of over 800 solar lamps in urban and rural sections of Port-au-Prince, St. Marc, and the northern corridor of Haiti.
• Building the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP). In partnership with the New York Police Department, the USG works to build the capacity of the Child Protection Unit of the HNP to combat gender-based and domestic violence against children. In 2012, the USG supported a Brazilian-led GBV assessment visit to Haiti and subsequently funded a study tour in Brazil for six members of the HNP and judiciary, including two female judges, to present best practices in countering sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). U.S. police officers assigned to the MINUSTAH mission have provided mentoring to HNP officers in SGBV. The USG also supports entry-level training of HNP officers that includes a module on SGBV.
• Calling for increased female representation and leadership within the HNP. The USG continues to urge the HNP to recruit and retain more women. In early 2013, the USG will support the training of up to 40 female HNP cadets in Colombia for a year; this training will include a focus on GBV and child protection issues.
• Protection and prevention programs. The Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons supports law enforcement and social welfare agencies to increase their capacity to identify victims of trafficking and refer them to NGOs that provide direct services.

Supporting Survivors

USG programs strive to facilitate GBV survivors’ access to relevant services and community-based support.

• Reinforcing access to services for survivors of GBV. A USAID program is providing female survivors of sexual violence with access to integrated health services; over 2,300 GBV victims have been referred to voluntary counseling and testing for HIV services, reproductive health and/or psychological support services since June 2012.
• Providing training to identify GBV cases. USAID’s health service delivery program is incorporating a GBV component under which health care providers at 30 health facilities will be trained to identify and manage GBV cases, and to provide referrals to social and legal services. Since June 2012, almost 9,200 people have been sensitized and surveyed on GBV, including 113 staff and over 9,000 patients.
• Supporting legal aid in low-income and marginalized communities. USAID is providing free legal aid, including to GBV survivors, in partnership with local bar associations in St. Marc, Cité Soleil, and Martissant. In FY 2012, 45 GBV victims benefitted from the free legal assistance provided in the law clinic established in Cite Soleil.
• Protecting displaced women and girls. The Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons is assisting children in involuntary domestic servitude by supporting community-based social protection networks and specialized shelter services as well as working with families to facilitate healthy reintegration and reduce the chances of re-trafficking. Over 1,000 children received direct assistance to include family tracing and reunification, and medical, psychosocial and educational support.
• Improving GBV response, preparedness and prevention capacity. USAID is supporting the International Rescue Committee to build the capacity of local organizations in Haiti to prepare and respond to the needs of GBV survivors during emergencies, including training teams to mount an effective response in the first acute days of a crisis, pre-positioning essential supplies, and putting clear systems in place to safeguard sensitive data about survivors.