As part of the National Day of the Haitian Women's Movement, Ms. Pedrica Saint Jean paid tribute with great respect to the historic date of April 3rd, 1986, which is etched in collective memory as one of the largest women's mobilizations Haiti has ever seen.

Message from the Minister :

"[...] At that time, several thousand women from all departments of the country took to the streets to denounce the violence, discrimination, and forms of exclusion they had endured for decades.

This historic mobilization took place at a time when Haiti was undergoing significant political change. Women played an unparalleled role in uprooting the dictatorship; they wanted to take their rightful place in the political sphere, and they resonated with a truth that remains relevant today : 'There is no democracy without women.'

April 3rd, 1986, brought to the forefront the demands of women as citizens and political actors with full rights to participate in shaping national life. Women were not simply crying out against injustice; they were charting the course for a new era where women's practical needs and strategic interests must be considered essential pillars for building an egalitarian Haiti.

In 2026, April 3rd became a call to refresh our collective memory, to highlight the work of women's organizations that continue to support, defend, and champion women's rights every day. In this same spirit, Haitian women remain determined to rewrite history, and at the General Assembly on Women's Political Participation and Electoral Violence, held in December 2025, women from all 10 departments of the country reiterated with great force : 'There is no democracy without women.'

April 3rd remains a symbol of courage, solidarity, and resistance, and it is on the legacy of these valiant women's struggle that all the progress made on women's rights has become possible. The Ministry recognizes that, even though many steps have been taken, numerous challenges remain, requiring the will, coordination, and commitment of all stakeholders to move forward.

Therefore, in the context of the humanitarian and security crisis facing the country, the fight against violence against women—whether political, social, economic, or digital—remains a national priority. In this regard, the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's Rights reaffirms its commitment to implementing the recommendations from the National Consultations, particularly to :

• Strengthen women's political participation at all levels;

• Ensure effective protection against violence, especially before, during, and after elections;

• Combat violence against women in the digital sphere (social media);

• Encourage women’s leadership and their equal participation in all sectors of national life.

Minister Saint Jean reiterates that respecting women’s rights is an obligation for any society that seeks to build democracy, peace, and justice. It is in this spirit that she makes a strong appeal to all sectors of society: public institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, religious communities, and all citizens, to continue to unite with women so that the legacy of April 3, 1986, continues to shine and inspire future generations."

Port-au-Prince, April 3rd, 2026

S/ HaitiLibre