A mother comforts her child as he receives tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations provided by the World Health Organisation. Credit: UN Photo/Sophia Paris

By Marguerite A. Suozzi

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 3 (IPS/TerraViva) Women in Haiti are more vulnerable than ever to attacks on their dignity and gender-based violence after the massive Jan.  12 earthquake crippled the already struggling nation.

But in spite of this new threat of violence, compounded by the lack of basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, adequate sanitation, and healthcare, women are determined to play an active role in the rebuilding of their nation.

To do so, they will require systemic reforms and improved security.

Before the earthquake, one in 47 women died in childbirth in Haiti. They also represented 42 percent of the country’s heads of household.

Females were significantly excluded from secondary education compared males of the same age, despite constituting 51.3 percent of the total population, and women represented just 4.1 percent of Haiti’s parliament and 22.2 percent of the available ministerial posts.

“[Women] feel the need to become integrally involved in participatory democracy, and at all levels,” said Flavia Cherry, chair of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA).  “They are saying this is a good opportunity for us to finally get it right.”

CAFRA conducted on the ground interviews with women in different areas of Haiti, as part of a larger post-disaster needs assessment after Jan. 12.

“Women are asking for agrarian reform based on fair trade rules and environmental protection.  They are also saying that it would help Haiti considerably if the international financial community gave Haiti a break,” continued Cherry, referring to the massive foreign debt Haiti has racked up over the years.

“Women also identify social reform to facilitate decent housing, food, healthcare, education and work.  And finally, the protection of the rights of women and children,” said Cherry.

Marjory Michel, the minister of Women’s Affairs, told TerraViva that at the most rudimentary level, women need more security – food security, health security, secure shelter and public protection – in order to decrease their vulnerability caused by the disaster, and to participate effectively.

“Imagine a woman in the rain, with a baby in her arms.  That makes her more vulnerable.  Not having a tent to cover herself with, makes her more vulnerable,” she said.  “It’s a question of security.”