The transition process in Haiti, underway since July 2021, is progressing toward the elections scheduled for 2026 under a new electoral calendar (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46492-haiti-flash-the-cep-has-just-published-the-revised-electoral-calendar-in-the-moniteur.html).

Despite some progress, Women's participation in governance in Haiti remains limited. Female representation in key bodies, such as the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and the Government, remains below the minimum constitutional quota of 30%. Women hold 22.22% of government positions and 11.11% within the CPT, where they do not have voting rights (observer status). They represent 27% of electoral staff at the departmental (BED) and municipal (BEC) levels. This underrepresentation highlights the persistent challenges to achieving gender equality in leadership roles.

Haitian women, under the leadership of the Ministry of Women's Affairs and with the support of UN Women, actively participated in the constitutional review process. They advocated for concrete measures guaranteeing that the minimum quota of 30% female representation, established by the Constitution, is respected and protected. Although the constitutional review process was suspended by the transitional authorities (abandonment of the referendum), the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) made significant efforts to ensure that concrete measures were maintained in the draft electoral decree. These measures include :

1- The rejection of any electoral list with less than 30% women. (Article 138 of the Electoral Decree)

2- The creation of an additional fund for political parties that include more than 50% women among their candidates (Article 138.1 of the decree)

See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46111-haiti-flash-electoral-decree-revealed-diaspora-and-women-voting-mandatory.html

Following this development, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and UN Women jointly launched a national campaign in Port-au-Prince, which brought together approximately 150 participants from all ten departments of Haiti, including 63 women living outside the capital. The campaign aimed to mobilize women for effective political participation and to raise awareness among political parties and the general population about the transformative role women can play in governance, emphasizing the importance of their significant representation in the upcoming elections.

These efforts were reinforced by departmental consultations supported by the Government, as well as by the National Conference on Women’s Political Participation and Electoral Violence. These meetings provided spaces for dialogue and the development of specific strategies. One of the most important outcomes of these collective efforts was the adoption of the Declaration of Haitian Women for Active and Effective Participation, published at the national conference. This declaration reflects the commitment of Haitian women to fully participate in the political process and affirms their right to play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future. It is a testament to their unwavering determination to overcome challenges and contribute significantly to the advancement of democracy and gender equality.

HL/ HaitiLibre