After the South, Grand’Anse and Nippes, Pedrica Saint Jean, the Minister for Women’s Affairs and Women’s Rights, was welcomed in Jacmel in the South-East department where she held a high-level meeting on gender equality with the participation of Jude Pierre Michel Lafontant, Departmental Delegate of the South-East, Loudie César, Mayor of the city of Jacmel, Yolaine Philippeaux, Mayor of the Jacmel Valley and Enante Barthelemy, Mayor of Cayes-Jacmel. Also present at the discussions were the Jacmel Government Commissioner, Lionel C. Bourgoin, the Departmental Director of the Haitian National Police (PNH) of the South-East, Divisional Commissioner Jean Gabriel Gabart, the Dean of the Jacmel Court of First Instance, Auméreau Lainé, as well as Directors of the regional offices.

The Departmental Coordinator of the Ministry, Alerte Laguerre, drew up an alarming report on the challenges facing women in the Southeast, including the lack of psychosocial support for victims of violence, the worrying situation of women in detention in Jacmel, the lack of financial resources to support victims and the difficulties related to the administration of evidence within the judicial system.

Minister Pedrica Saint Jean called for a review of the laws governing sexual age in order to ensure better protection of children.

Pedrica Saint Jean reaffirmed the need for effective integration of gender policy in all projects, programs and action plans of decentralized structures of the State in the department.

She stressed the importance of active involvement of women in all spheres of society, highlighting the progress that needs to be made to ensure true equality between men and women in the Southeast.

IH/ S/ HaitiLibre