May/June 2004 – (UNIFEM) UNIFEM's Regional Peace and Security Adviser and a gender adviser from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) participated in the UN assessment mission to Haiti to prepare recommendations for the upcoming peacekeeping operations in the country. While in Haiti, the team met with local women's organizations in order to reflect their concerns and priorities. The women expressed four main areas of concern. First, levels of gender-based violence, already high before the widespread unrest of the past year, have been exacerbated by pervasive insecurity and small arms proliferation. Second, there is a need for greater economic security and justice for women, with an emphasis on humanitarian assistance and job creation. Third, increased support and resources for women's organizations to consolidate peace and participate in the peace process. Finally, Haitian women emphasized the importance of adequate female representation in all political bodies in order to ensure good governance.

The mandate of the recently established UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) recognizes the needs and priorities of women across several sectors. Security Council resolution 1542 (http://www.womenwarpeace.org/haiti/docs/res1542.pdf), which establishes MINUSTAH for deployment in June 2004, recalls resolution 1325 (http://www.womenwarpeace.org/toolbox/1325.pdf) on women, peace and security, and calls for protection of women and girls from violence and exploitation as well as their inclusion in efforts aimed at Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), and in governance structures.

More information on Haitian women and UNIFEM and the UN in Haiti can be found on UNIFEM's Gender Profile on Haiti at WomenWarPeace.org (http://www.womenwarpeace.org/haiti/haiti.htm).

From: http://www.unifem.org/news/currents/currents200406.html#haiti