Haiti takes a historic step towards its first National Action Plan on Resolution 1325
A group photo with several prominent figures, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti, Dr. Nicole Flora Boni Kouassi. Photo Courtesy of BINUH & Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF).
Women, catalysts for lasting peace: national feedback from departmental consultations.
Haiti has reached a major milestone in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda with the national validation workshop for its first National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325. Held at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince, the event brought together more than 120 representatives from the Government, the United Nations system, embassies, civil society organizations, the private sector, the Haitian National Police (PNH), religious organizations and academia to review the findings of nationwide consultations and shape the final phase of the Plan’s development.
A nationwide participatory process
Led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Women’s Rights (MCFDF), with technical support from UN Women, the development of the National Action Plan has been grounded in an extensive participatory process. Between July 2025 and March 2026, 18 consultation workshops were held across nine departments, engaging nearly 500 representatives from public institutions, local authorities, women’s and youth organizations, the private sector and international partners.
Representatives from the departments of the South, Grand’Anse, North and Nippes also participated in the national workshop, ensuring that the priorities and recommendations emerging from local consultations informed discussions at the national level.
Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF), Ms. Pédrica SAINT-JEAN, speaking at the ceremony. Photo Courtesy of BINUH & Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF).A shared commitment to inclusive peace
The opening ceremony reflected broad national and international support for the process, bringing together senior Government officials, the United Nations system, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society representatives. Their participation underscored a shared commitment to ensuring that women are at the centre of peacebuilding and security efforts in Haiti.
Speaking on behalf of UN Women, Deputy Representative Sophie Havyarimana welcomed the progress achieved since the launch of the consultations and acknowledged the leadership of the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights in steering this landmark initiative.
She also recognized the dedication of the MCFDF’s departmental directors, civil society organizations, women’s and youth groups, local communities and technical experts whose contributions have shaped Haiti’s first National Action Plan on resolution 1325.
Highlighting the purpose of the workshop, she emphasized that it provided an opportunity not only to present the recommendations gathered through regional consultations, but also to strengthen them through dialogue with national stakeholders before the Plan is finalized.
She then invited Carlos Luis Macias, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Haiti, to deliver his remarks.
The National Coordination for Women’s Affairs and Gender Issues of the Haitian National Police, Divisional Commissioner Jeannette Bateau Salomon. Photo Courtesy of BINUH & Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF).
A national commitment to women, peace and security
Addressing participants, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights Pedrica Saint-Jean described the workshop as a defining moment in Haiti’s institutional history.
Welcoming the Prime Minister’s participation as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to inclusive governance, and thanking UN Women for its continued technical and financial support, the Minister stressed the significance of the day.
“Today is not an ordinary day. We are gathered here to take an important step in the institutional history of our country.”
She highlighted the complex challenges facing Haiti, including insecurity, forced displacement and growing social and economic vulnerabilities, while emphasizing that women continue to play a critical role in strengthening resilience and sustaining communities. The National Action Plan, she noted, seeks to formally recognize, strengthen and institutionalize that contribution.
The Minister also paid tribute to the departmental directors of the MCFDF, the Haitian Women’s League for Renewal (LIFHER) and Dialogue Inter-Femmes for their sustained advocacy over more than 15 years, which helped lay the foundation for the development of the Plan.
She concluded with a message that resonated throughout the workshop:
“Peace is built with women, never without them.”
The Deputy Representative of UN Women Haiti, Ms. Sophie Havyarimana. Photo Courtesy of BINUH & Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF).
Building the National Action Plan
Throughout the day, participants worked in thematic groups organized around the four pillars of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325: participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery. Discussions focused on strengthening women’s leadership in conflict prevention and mediation, addressing gender-based violence in conflict settings, promoting women’s participation in decision-making, and increasing the engagement of young women in peace and security processes.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of BINUH, Mr. Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu, speaking at the ceremony. Photo Courtesy of BINUH & Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF).
Towards lasting peace
The workshop marked the culmination of months of consultations across the country. By consolidating regional recommendations with the perspectives shared during the national workshop, participants advanced the finalization of Haiti’s first National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325.
Once adopted, the Plan will provide a national framework for advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Haiti, reaffirming the country’s commitment to inclusive governance, sustainable peace and the meaningful participation of women in shaping the country’s future.