March 8: Human Rights for Haiti’s Women and Girls–Haitian Advocates Chart a Path Forward
Los Angeles, CA – On Wednesday, International Women’s Day, the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights will hear testimony from Haitian advocates regarding alarming accounts of
sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls in Haiti. Following the formal hearing,
advocates will host an interactive side event for the public to learn more about the intersecting
challenges facing the country and, importantly, Haitian-led solutions that advance the rights of
women and girls. This timely event occurs amidst widespread reports of gangs deploying rape
and other forms of sexual violence as a deliberate tool for disrupting the country’s social fabric:
perpetuating the governance crisis facing the country that must be resolved for any human
rights to be realized.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 8, 1:45-2:45 pm Pacific Time; International Women’s Day
WHERE: The side event will take place in-person at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425
Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095. The event is open to the public, but space is limited.
There may be a livestream option available; in the event it is not available, a recording will be
provided. RSVP to ensure you receive updated information regarding the event.
WHO: The event will feature representatives from several leading Haitian-based and Haitian-led
human rights organizations that are documenting conditions for Haitian women, supporting
survivors and developing pathways forward to a more just future.
The speakers include:
● Rosy Auguste Ducena, Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains
● Yvon Janvier, Catholic Law School of Jérémie, Haiti
● Carine Jocelyn, Haitian Women’s Collective
● Guerline Joseph, Haitian Bridge Alliance
● Pascale Solages, Nèges Mawon
● Dr. Maryse Nazon, Commission of Women Victims for Victims (KOFAVIV)
● An attorney at the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux in Port au Prince will appear by
video
Additional event co-sponsors include:
● Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, University of California College of the Law, San
Francisco
● Center for Justice and International LAw
● Human Rights Clinic, University of Miami School of Law
● Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic, CUNY School of Law
● Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti
● MADRE
● Promise Institute for Human Rights, UCLA School of Law
● RFK Human Rights
● Transnational Legal Clinic, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
If you are interested in covering Wednesday’s event and would like to schedule an interview
with any of the participants, please contact Blaine Bookey at [email protected] or +1-(415)-703-8202 (WhatsApp).