On Friday, April 10, 2026, to mark the National Day of the Haitian Women's Movement, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MCFDF) organized a day of reflection and commemoration at the Montana Hotel. Under the theme "40 Years of Battle for Respect for Women's Rights : Where We Are From, Where We Are, Where We Want to Go with Women's Demands," this day commemorated the 40th anniversary of the historic march of April 3rd, 1986.

The ceremony brought together several members of the government, including Ministers Stéphanie Smith (Tourism), Rayina Forbin (Foreign Affairs), and James Monazard (Commerce). Prominent figures such as Jacques Desrosiers, President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), and Yves Marie Edouard, Representative of the Women's Sector at the CEP, as well as former ministers Marjorie Michel (Health Canada) and Sofia Loréus (Status of Women 2021-2024), participated in the discussions, alongside representatives of the United Nations system, Samir Anouti (UNFPA Representative in Haiti) and Eric Voli Bi (UNESCO Representative in Haiti).

Marie Frantz Joachim, Executive Director of Haitian Women's Solidarity (SOFA), opened the proceedings by recalling that April 3, 1986, remains a powerful symbol of the democratic awakening of Haitian women. This legacy was acknowledged by former minister Marjorie Michel, who nevertheless highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women in decision-making bodies.

International and institutional partners successively called for concrete actions. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) emphasized the need to renew its commitment to the health and dignity of girls. James Monazard, Minister of Trade and Industry, discussed support for women's entrepreneurship through the Women's Entrepreneurship Support Project (PAEF), and Stephanie Smith, the Minister of Tourism, highlighted the essential role of women in the tourism economy and the promotion of national heritage, while encouraging women's entrepreneurship as a lever for the sector's resilience.

In her closing remarks, Pedrica Saint Jean, the Minister for the Status of Women, presented a frank assessment of the current situation. While significant progress was highlighted, such as the 2014-2034 Equality Policy, the 30% quota, and the ratification of the Belém do Pará Convention (on the prevention, punishment, and elimination of violence against women), the Minister also acknowledged the urgency of the situation and announced strong measures to address it. These include the upcoming opening of four Women's Centers in the West, Central, Artibonite, and Grand'Anse departments; socio-economic integration programs aimed at strengthening women's financial independence; and a national campaign to promote gender equality policy.

The day was punctuated by heartfelt tributes, including the presentation of plaques of honor to emblematic figures of the feminist movement.

Hosted by Ediana Pierre Louis and Evelyne Bien-Aimé, two panel discussions fostered a rich exchange between veteran activists like Marie Frantz Joachim, new-generation activists such as Pascales Solages and Nègès Mawon, and technical staff from the Ministry.

Minister Pedrica Saint Jean concluded the event by reaffirming her Ministry's commitment to an inclusive Haiti. Forty years after the women's cry of 1986, the message remains clear : the fight for equality continues, so that it becomes a daily reality and no longer just a demand.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre