On Saturday, January 17, the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's Rights (MCFDF) took a decisive step for 2026. The Ministry launched a three-day strategic and professional retreat at the Montana Hotel in Pétion-ville. This retreat brought together the institution's senior staff to structure future actions in support of gender equality in Haiti.

Objectives of the 2026 Annual Work Plan (AWP) :

The main objective of this meeting was to validate the Annual Work Plan (AWP). Directors, Coordinators, and staff members worked on several key areas:

Strategic Alignment with the National Action Plan resulting from the National Consultations :

The 2026 AWP builds upon the actions undertaken during the National Consultations, ensuring their concrete implementation and impact on the ground;

Institutional Strengthening of MCFDF Entities :

The AWP includes actions to consolidate the capacities of MCFDF entities, enabling them to better meet the needs of the population and contribute effectively to the country's development.

Administrative Roadmap for the Adoption of New Organic Decrees :

A detailed roadmap has been developed to support the adoption of the new organic decrees, ensuring smooth and effective implementation.

Women's Political Participation and the Electoral Context :

The AWP pays particular attention to promoting women's political participation, especially in the context of the upcoming elections. Actions will be implemented to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advocate for equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies.

With the upcoming elections in mind, the Ministry's role is more crucial than ever. The retreat aims to define specific intervention strategies to :

• Promote women's political participation and combat gender inequality;

• Prevent gender-based violence (GBV) during elections and ensure a safe environment for everyone;

• Advocate for equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies, so they can fully contribute to political life and the country's development.

"Strengthening the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Family Development (MCFDF) is essential to guaranteeing effective, inclusive, and sustainable public policies," stated Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women.

Renewed international support from UN Women : Ms. Marie Goretti Nduwayo, UN Women Resident Representative in Haiti, welcomed this initiative. However, she expressed concern about the persistence of violence against women and social inaction. She reiterated the UN's commitment to maintaining close collaboration with the Ministry for the Empowerment of Haitian Women.

Towards a More Effective Institution :

For Minister Pedrica Saint Jean, "this retreat is not simply a working meeting. It is a consolidation mission aimed at establishing a common and shared understanding of our organizational framework, developing an Annual Work Plan aligned with our strategic directions, clearly defining our areas of intervention in the electoral context, and developing a realistic institutional roadmap for the adoption and implementation of the decree."

S/ HaitiLibre