During the First Ordinary Session of the Council of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), which was held March 1, at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, around the theme "Women's rights : From Law to Practice" ; Marie Yanick Mézile, Haiti's Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, in her capacity of Vice-President, presented the government's policy on gender issues in Haiti.

The Minister Mézile highlighted the strong participation of women in public and political life, that "major advances are observed" emphasizing in her speech, the logic of strengthening of the principle of equality between women/men, but also the guarantee of women's participation in political life "The amended Constitution enshrined the principle of participation quota of at least 30% women in all spheres of national life, especially in public institutions, which helped to increase the presence of women in the executive branch where they are about 44% of women," claiming that with these measures "Haiti far exceeds its neighbors of the region."

According to Marie Yanick Mézile, these positive impact are the result of the political will of the Haitian government, but also of resolutions and recommendations adopted during the various meetings held by the CIM, including those adopted at the 35th Meeting held in Mexico City in November 2010, noting that through this Assembly "States parties, reiterated their commitment for the adoption of public policies that promote the principle of gender equity and political participation of women."

She also presented the various achievements of his Ministry and the various ongoing projects : the implementation of Houses of women in the North, West and South, the new complex to house the Directorate of Legal Affairs and the first Public Centre of documentation and data management on gender issues in Haiti, to be inaugurated soon.

"The Government's program is ambitious," admitted Mrs. Mézile who believes she can rely, not only on national resources, but also on the continuous and unconditional support of the OAS and especially of the CIM and also the strengthening of links with the other countries of the region, as well as women's organizations whose solidarity with Haiti is demonstrated.

Mrs. Mézile concluded her remarks by recognizing "that Haiti is on the right track concerning to the realization of women's rights and equality between women/men and that, benefiting from awareness of a significant proportion of the youth, the Haitian society will continue its ascensional march towards a just and egalitarian society able to lead it towards peace, progress and effective and sustainable development."

At the end of his speech, where the Minister was strongly applauded and congratulated, the CIM promised financial supports to make more effective the management of legal affairs and the first Public Centre of documentation and data management on gender issues in Haiti.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre