Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Haiti

As conflict continues in Haiti, gender-based violence rates remain alarmingly high. Women and girls are forced from their homes and living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions, separated from people they trust. Adolescent girls are particularly affected, facing heightened vulnerability, neglect, and interrupted education. At the same time, the systems that would normally protect them or help them report abuse are weakened by the conflict. This leaves many exposed to serious violations of their rights with few safe ways to get help.

With funding from the European Union, Action Against Hunger is offering Mental Health and Protective Services in Haiti, helping people experiencing gender-based violence access the support they need to leave harmful environments, recover, and rebuild their lives.

From Darkness to Light: Marie’s New Beginning

At only 17 years old, Marie* has lived through hardships that no child should ever face. She was taken from her father’s home in Jérémie by a cousin who promised her a better future in Port-au-Prince.

Instead, she was forced into domestic servitude. At just 12 years old, she was pulled out of school, and her life became an endless stream of labor; cooking, cleaning, and washing accompanied by constant beatings, insults, and humiliation. Her situation worsened when armed violence forced her family to flee their neighborhood and live in a displacement camp, where safety and sanitation conditions were even lower.

For five years, Marie remained trapped in abuse, lacking proper protection, clothes, and hygiene.

Change came for Marie when someone alerted Action Against Hunger’s mental health and protection team about her situation. After carefully listening to Marie’s testimony and hearing from witnesses in the community, Action Against Hunger staff recognized her need for immediate protection services. Within 24 hours, Marie was helped with leaving her abusive household and moving into a specialized care center.

For the first time in years, Marie found safety. At the center, she was warmly welcomed, given food, clothing, and psychosocial support. Another girl at the center took her by the hand and helped her adjust, showing her that she was no longer alone. Slowly, Marie began to rebuild her trust in people. She regained hope.

“I thought my life would always remain this way. But when I left that house, it was as if a weight was lifted from my chest. Today, I smile again. I hope to see my father and go back to school,” said Marie.

How do Mental Health and Protection Services Relate to Hunger?

Like Marie, many adolescent girls experiencing gender-based violence are denied basic rights like education, protection, and essentials for hygiene. These violations are closely linked to higher chances of lifelong hunger, poverty, and health challenges like anemia.

Mental health and protection services change that trajectory. Humanitarian protection removes a person from a situation of violence, coercion, deliberate deprivation, or abuse, while mental health services give them the tools and support to heal. These services have a profound impact on survivors of gender-based violence, helping them regain autonomy over their health and future.

Now that Marie has safety and stability, she dreams of returning to school. Even one year of schooling can increase a girl’s future wages by up to 20 percent. That financial power significantly improves her ability to access food and healthcare for the rest of her life.

“In Haiti, protection from gender-based violence is inseparable from addressing hunger,” said Maxime Malembe Ngalula, Country Director for Action Against Hunger Haiti. “When a survivor regains safety and autonomy, they regain the possibility of a healthier, more secure future.”

Action Against Hunger’s Mental Health and Protection Services in Haiti

Action Against Hunger works closely with communities and local partners to build trust with communities and connect with people who need protection. Case identification typically happens through community awareness activities, family dialogue sessions, trained protection and nutrition staff, and referrals from partners. Our teams can respond to high-risk cases within 24 hours, removing an individual from harm’s way, providing a safe place to stay, and offering mental health support.

With funding from the European Union, Action Against Hunger is able to support survivors of gender-based violence with confidential case management and referrals, train local health staff on case recognition, and strengthen referral pathways. Our awareness and women’s rights campaigns helped spread messages of resources available to those affected.

*Name changed to respect confidentiality. 

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.