Haiti’s draft new Constitution formally establishes gender parity as a constitutional principle, a move hailed by officials as a historic advance for women’s rights in the country.
At a recent press conference, Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF), welcomed the inclusion of her ministry’s recommendations in the document. She said Article 16 enshrines gender equality, creating a clear legal framework to protect women’s rights.
“Today, equality between women and men remains a central issue for the country,” Saint Jean said, announcing the creation of a monitoring committee to ensure gender parity is implemented under the new Constitution. She added that no lasting change can be achieved without the active participation of women, and stressed that equality must serve as a pillar of national development.
The minister also pointed to Haiti’s commitments under international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention of Belém do Pará on protection against violence toward women.
Joseph André Gracien Jean, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Electoral and Constitutional Affairs, praised Saint Jean’s “courage and determination” in pushing for gender parity during the constitutional drafting process. He described its inclusion as “a major advance that will be remembered in the history of national and global feminist movements,” while noting that the fight for emancipation and equality remains ongoing.
