In a landmark step forward for gender justice in Haiti, top government officials officially opened the nation’s first dedicated safe shelters for women and girls who have survived gender-based violence on Friday, May 22, 2026. The launch ceremony, led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé alongside Pédrica Saint-Jean, Haiti’s Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, drew attendance from representatives of UN Women, international technical and financial partners, and members of the diplomatic corps based in Port-au-Prince.
Across the country, four such shelters will be constructed across four key departments: West, Grand’Anse, Central, and Artibonite. The first completed facility, located in the West Department’s Vivy-Mitchell district, was the site of Friday’s inauguration. Purpose-built to prioritize survivor safety, dignity and holistic healing, the shelter comes equipped with modern amenities including eight private dormitories, dedicated reception zones, a communal cafeteria, an on-site infirmary, a recreation space, and segregated secured areas designed to protect residents. Unlike many temporary support projects in Haiti that rely on international donor funding, this entire initiative is financed directly by the Haitian national government.
For countless Haitian women who have endured gender-based violence in silence for decades, the opening of these shelters represents more than just a new infrastructure project—it is a tangible demonstration of the state’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens. Marie Gorreti Nduway, UN Women’s country representative to Haiti, spoke emotionally at the ceremony, praising the launch as a transformative milestone for women’s rights in the country. She called the initiative a concrete victory for Haitian women, and reaffirmed UN Women’s long-term commitment to partnering with the Haitian government to sustain and expand the shelter program.
Minister Saint-Jean also shared her moving reaction to the completion of the first facility, framing the shelters as an indispensable turning point in the national fight to defend women’s dignity and guarantee their protection. She highlighted that beyond physical safety, the shelters will provide survivors with confidential, individualized psychosocial support tailored to each person’s unique healing journey.
In his address to attendees, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé framed the project as a powerful act of national solidarity, justice, and collective hope. “Faced with violence, we choose light,” he said. “These houses will be spaces for rebuilding, rebirth, and dignity. Women have the right to protection, to be heard, and to receive support.” To ensure the long-term stability of the program, the prime minister announced that sustained funding for all four shelters will be written into the upcoming national supplementary budget, locking in government support for years to come.