HAITI: Sophia Martelly Opened the National Forum of Haitian Women

The First Lady of the Republic, Ms Sophia Martelly, officially opened yesterday Tuesday, the National Forum on the Issues of Haitian women, which takes place from March 6-8, 2012, at the Historical Park Cof the Sugar cane around the theme "the Haitian woman at a time of national reconstruction"

Organized by the Ministry for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights (MCFDF), this forum brings together thousands of women and Haitian young girls, including six hundred (600) delegated departmental of MCFDF, women's groups and organizations, donors and representatives of agencies of cooperation with Haiti and members of the Legislative body, some from the Parliamentary Bloc for decentralization. The objective is to invite the Haitian women tothink about a set of problems they face and that cripple their struggle. This forum will allow to lead to proposals that would enhance their empowerment.

Several hundred women's organizations, came from the ten departments of Haiti, will think about issues related to their participation in the reconstruction of Haiti, their citizenship, women's leadership in general, the health of women, engine of family welfare, employment opportunities and their economic development in the Haitian society.

Education, vocational training, violence against women, improving the environment, employment, health, economy and of coursthe credit are the main concerns of this forum.

For Marie Yanick Mézile, the Minister for Women and women's rights, "it is an important step in the history of the evolution of women in Haiti." In her speech, she recalled, to the community, the recommendations of the Head of State, to include women in all actions aimed at the development of Haiti.

The First Lady of the Republic, President of this Forum, believes, for her part in the organization and the training of Haitian women and their empowerment, in view of their effective involvement in public affairs. She encourages the improvement of the legal status of Haitian women and its leadership in the civil and political affairs. This Forum is for her an opportunity to affirm its solidarity to all these brave women, strong, and that, according to her are the "Poto Mitan" of this contemporary Haitian society.

The Office of the First Lady, main partner of this Forum, believes strongly in that integration of the Haitian woman. This is also explains her support to any initiative of women in favor of development, and her determination to work for their welfare which is also that of the Haitian family.