U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D) in continuance of her efforts to improve life for Haitians in and out of Haiti, recently introduced a resolution calling for the U.S. to work with the Haitian Government to end gender-based violence.

"Now is the time for the United States to renew its commitment to Haitian women and children, and for us to make the issue of ending gender-based violence a priority for both our countries," said Congresswoman Wilson.

Official estimates show that almost 600,000 Haitians are still living in internally displaced person (IDP) camps, two years after the 2012 earthquake without adequate housing, sanitation, healthcare services, lighting or security. Many people outside these camps have also been living in precarious situations since the quake.

Though deep-seated gender discrimination and violence against women and children have long marred Haitian society, as they do in many countries worldwide, those living in displacement camps and other impoverished communities have experienced increased vulnerability to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).

Presiding Judge Carves Jean announced his decision on Monday to charge former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier with corruption – not with human rights violations allegedly committed during his 15 years as dictator.

If convicted of corruption charges, Duvalier will face a maximum of five years in prison.

"I did not find enough legal grounds to keep human rights charges and crimes against humanity against him," Judge Jean said. "Now my job is over. The case is no longer in my hands."

Judge Jean did not release the full details of his decision, pending a review by the attorney general and Duvalier's defense. Duvalier's attorney, Reynolds Georges, confirmed that they would appeal the indictment, arguing that the statue of limitations for all the allegations had expired. Duvalier is currently under house arrest in Port-au-Prince, now awaiting his trial.

Haitian novelist and journalist Gary Victor has won the Cuban Casa de las Americas literary prize, in the category Caribbean literature in French or Creole, for his 2010 novel Le sang et la mer (The Blood and the Sea).

Born in Port au Prince in 1958, Gary Victor has published seven collections of short stories and eight novels, particularly exploring the cultural and historic tensions of Haitian society. His novel, Le sang et la mer, chronicles a tragic love story set in the mythical lore and class divides of his native city. A recipient of many literary prizes, Victor is also a professor, a columnist in the Le Nouvelliste and the translator of the Haiti Kreyol edition of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince).

This year's competition opened in February 2011 with 377 entries from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Uruguay.

Judge Carves Jean, presiding judge over the prosecution of Duvalier for human rights violations, confirmed to the Associated Press recently that the decision to bring the former dictator to trial will be announced by the end of January.

The statement follows several recent breaches "Baby Doc" made against the terms of his house arrest. Reports state that Duvalier has left the capital at least twice in the past few weeks and has been spotted at popular restaurants around Port-au-Prince.

Duvalier also left the capital for the coastal city of Gonaives last December to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony of the School of Law, Economics and Management (EDSEG). He was also seen at a memorial for the 2010 earthquake anniversary on January 12, outside the capital.