Haitian women leaders demand greater political, economic power at forum

PORT-AU-PRINCE — As Haiti grapples with political and economic turmoil, women leaders gathered at the Karibe Hotel to demand greater decision-making roles. The Women’s Leadership Forum served as a platform to push for gender equality and stronger female participation in politics and governance. Organizers and participants emphasized the need for women’s voices in key national debates, including constitutional reform and electoral processes.

The Jan. 31 gathering drew a diverse audience committed to advancing gender equality, including forum president Winnie Hugot Gabriel; Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights Pédrica Saint-Jean; Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti André François Giroux; and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative Xavier Michon.

“The forum aims to promote gender equality, strengthen female leadership, and encourage initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society,” Gabriel said.

“We’re with you,” Giroux added, reaffirming Canada’s support for gender equity. He emphasized that women must have the freedom to shape their country’s future without intimidation.

Women’s role in politics: breaking barriers

For nearly a century, Haitian women have fought for greater representation in leadership, despite systemic barriers in politics and business. The first Haitian women’s rights organization, the Ligue Féminine d’Action Sociale, was founded in 1934 as part of a broader movement advocating for gender equality. While some progress has been made—such as the appointment of a provisional female president between 1990 and 1991 and the election of women in past legislatures—significant challenges remain.

At the forum, about 800 attendees strategized on increasing women’s influence in Haiti’s political and economic spheres. A primary focus was mobilizing women to participate in the upcoming constitutional reform and elections.

 The forum aims to promote gender equality, strengthen female leadership and encourage initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Winnie Hugot Gabriel, the forum initiator.

Saint-Jean stressed the urgency of increasing female representation in decision-making.

“We must challenge this imbalance and ensure that women’s voices are heard in national reforms,” she said.

Former Minister of Culture and interim Minister of Justice Emmelie Prophète Milcé echoed these sentiments. Speaking on the topic “Qu’elles soient à leur place” (French for “Let them be where they belong”), Milcé urged women to take an active role in politics.

“Women have carried the weight of this country’s struggles,” she said. “For decades, they’ve been made to believe politics isn’t for them. That needs to change.”

Dr. Maryse Narcisse, national coordinator of the political party Fanmi Lavalas, and Mimose André of the Ministry for the Status of Women reinforced this call to action in a panel discussion on political participation, “Breaking Glass Ceilings and Strengthening Women’s Political Voices.” They stressed the need for concrete strategies to boost women’s presence in governance.

Women and economic power: a missing piece

Beyond politics, the forum tackled another key issue: economic inclusion. The second panel, “Women and Finance: Unleashing Entrepreneurial Potential for an Inclusive Economic Recovery,” featured financial and business leaders, including Mica Bruno, managing director of Sogebel, and Christine Coupet, CEO of Dagmar. They discussed the financial barriers Haitian women face, particularly in securing investment and scaling businesses. They proposed strategies to support female entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create more equitable economic opportunities.

A third panel, “Beyond the Quota: Reality, Challenges, and Opportunities for Women in Leadership,” examined the barriers preventing women from securing high-level leadership roles. Speakers included Goethie Garnelle Morency, managing director of the Inspectorate General of Finance; economist Etzer Emile; and educator Andy Durosier.

“According to statistics, women dominate micro-loan programs but are nearly absent from large-scale business financing,” Emile said. “Small loans mean small businesses. To gain real economic power, women need access to bigger opportunities.”

While the discussions acknowledged progress, they also highlighted the ongoing challenges of achieving equitable representation in government and business leadership.

“Quotas help open doors, but they are not enough,” Morency said. “We need systemic change to ensure that women are not just included but are empowered to lead.”

A path forward

As the forum drew to a close, organizers presented a formal declaration summarizing the key commitments and initiatives discussed. The document outlined the urgent need for greater female representation in politics, stronger support for women-led businesses, and systemic changes to break barriers in leadership.

Participants—including government officials, diplomats, and civil society leaders—were invited to endorse the declaration, a step they took unanimously. Organizers urged continued advocacy, strategic policymaking, and active participation from all sectors of society to ensure Haitian women are empowered to drive meaningful change.

“Haitian women are not only the soul of our nation but also the architects of its future,” Gabriel said. “Female leadership must not be an option but an imperative for Haiti, particularly in this year of great stakes for the country.”

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Haitian women leaders demand greater political, economic power at forum was first posted on February 27, 2025 at 11:06 am.