HAITI: Volte-Face of Prime Minister-designate with the feminists

Daniel Gérard Rouzier, the Prime Minister-designate, met last Friday with feminist activists worried about remarks and rumors reported by the local press on the possible disappearance of the Ministry for Women and Women's Rights (MCFDF) and the creation, in lieu of a Directorate of Women Affairs in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Mrs Yolette Mengual, Chief of Cabinet of MCFDF and leader of the feminist organization "Fanm Yo la", has indicated that this meeting where responsibles of womens organizations were present, has been the occasion of a fruitful discussion on gender issues and women's rights in general. The message seems to have been understood since the Prime Minister-designate, after having given explanations, has ensured that he will maintain the MCFDF in his next Government, if parliament ratifies his choice and that his general policy statement is approved.

Following this meeting, Yolette Mengual told the media "...I say to all women's organization across the country who had seen the thing with a jaundiced eye, who were disappointed when we learned that Prime Minister-designate, had said through the press, that the Ministry for Women and Women's Rights would be integrated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST). Well I tell you ladies, the game has changed. Our Ministry will always remain, the Prime Minister-designate has given us this warranty, in addition, the Prime Minister-designate has shown his commitment to women's issues at the heart of governmental actions [...] we agree and too happy, because in the amendment of the constitution it is provided, that in the decisions, in the national life there must be at least 30% women, we, take the collective take the Prime Minister to the word and we will ensure that in his next cabinet, he takes into account the issue of quota."

Danièle Magloire, Director and co-founder of Kay Fanm, which had strongly reacted to the possible suppression recalls that the role of the Ministry is to ensure policies and programmes in all the area of the State, so that their implementation, are applied so that there "equal opportunities in society for girls and boys" adding that beyond that meeting the Prime Minister-designate must confirm publicly that the MCFDF will continue to exist "we have heard words that say that the position has changed, that's why we fight, we hope that is true, but we can not stay on rumors [...] is publicly that [Rouzier] had took a position and said that he will close the Ministry and "enfourailler" it in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, [...] well, this is of the same way that he must take his responsibility and say publicly that this is not that who will be done."