On Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Karibe Convention Center, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), in collaboration with the Ministry for the Status of Women, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and UN Women—launched a strategy for the communication and mobilization of women within the electoral process, under the theme Pa gen demokrasi san fanm ("There is no democracy without women").

This initiative, which receives support from countries including Mexico and Spain, was attended by electoral councilors, the Director General of the CEP, members of the diplomatic corps, national and international partners, technical and financial partners, women’s and youth organizations, and various stakeholders in the electoral process. It aims to strengthen women’s participation in political and electoral life, focusing on three priority areas.

The first area centers on communication and information, with the goal of promoting adherence to the constitutional quota requiring 30% female representation in political decision-making bodies.

The second area focuses on mobilization and awareness-raising, notably through the organization of political forums, academic debates, and community outreach caravans. These activities will also serve to prevent and combat the intimidation, harassment, and disinformation directed at women involved in the electoral process.

The third area is dedicated to capacity building. It includes regional workshops covering the legal electoral framework, female leadership, the electoral cycle, and gender mainstreaming, as well as training for lawyers who will provide support to female voters and candidates.

In her remarks, Councilor Yves Marie Édouard, representing the women’s sector within the CEP, emphasized that the participation of women is a democratic imperative. She emphasized that no society can claim to build a true democracy without the full involvement of women in political life and in the decisions that shape the nation’s future.

For her part, Marie Goretti Nduwayo, representative of UN Women, urged women to redouble their efforts to fully claim their place in the electoral process. She placed particular emphasis on the need to encourage young women to become more engaged and to take their place within decision-making spheres.

Pedrica Saint Jean, the Minister for the Status of Women, highlighted three priorities : raising awareness, mobilization, and the protection of women during elections. She lamented their low representation in decision-making bodies, despite their essential contributions to the economy, social cohesion, and the resilience of communities in the face of crises.

In his remarks, Peterson Pierre-Louis, President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), welcomed the initiative and underscored the pivotal role women play in consolidating Haitian democracy. He stressed that their presence within political and decision-making structures is a critical factor for the quality of democracy and the institutional future of Haiti.

He also paid tribute to the female electoral councilors and women in leadership positions within the institution for their contributions to democratic life. He encouraged women to become more involved in the electoral race, specifically by running as candidates in upcoming elections. Furthermore, he noted that registration on the electoral roll is a fundamental step in the process, and that women’s participation must be encouraged at every stage of the electoral cycle. It is worth recalling that in Haiti, women make up 50.4% of the total population and 50.1% of the voting-age population, according to data from the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI). Yet, their presence in elected bodies remains limited. Candidate registration data provided by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) as of November 7, 2026 show a complete absence of female candidates for the presidency, compared to 13.4% for the Senate and 6.9% for the Chamber of Deputies. These disparities underscore the need to strengthen mechanisms for women’s participation in elections and political leadership, in accordance with the constitutional principle that mandates a quota of at least 30% women at all levels of national life.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre