Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Haiti
Summary — This World Bank report analyzes gender-based violence in Haiti, examining prevalence rates, policy frameworks, and the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence. The profile highlights Haiti's vulnerability to GBV due to political instability, poverty, and natural disasters.
Key Findings
- 26% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 experienced lifetime intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence.
- 9% of women experienced intimate partner violence in the last 12 months.
- 28% of Haitian women aged 15-49 reported experiencing some form of physical violence.
- During COVID-19, over half of community health workers perceived increases in domestic violence.
- Between 2004-2006, an estimated 35,000 women were raped in Port-au-Prince alone.
Full Description
This World Bank country profile provides a comprehensive analysis of gender-based violence in Haiti, examining the prevalence, causes, and responses to GBV in one of the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries. Haiti faces significant challenges with 26% of women experiencing lifetime intimate partner violence and 13.9% experiencing it in the past year. The country's fragile context, characterized by political instability, economic decline, and exposure to natural disasters, creates conditions that amplify GBV risks.
The report traces the historical context of GBV in Haiti, noting that sexual violence has been used as a weapon of political terror during various regimes, including the Duvalier dictatorship and the Cédras military government. The 2010 earthquake particularly shattered existing protective mechanisms, leading to widespread sexual violence in displacement camps. Between 2004-2006 alone, an estimated 35,000 women were raped in Port-au-Prince.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, with over half of community health workers reporting increases in domestic violence. The profile examines Haiti's policy and legal framework for addressing GBV, identifying both progress made and significant gaps that limit effective responses. Despite having had female leadership and women playing important economic roles, Haitian women face severe discrimination and limited access to resources.
The document emphasizes the lack of comprehensive national data on GBV, highlighting the need for better data collection systems. It presents lessons learned and good practices while identifying key factors that limit quality responses to GBV, including institutional weaknesses, resource constraints, and cultural barriers.