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).

Against heavy odds, the Haitian government is working to address these issues through their Ministry of Women's Affairs, parliament and other government offices.

The resolution introduced by Wilson would:

·         Reassure the people of Haiti, particularly vulnerable women and children, that the United  States remains a committed partner in the fight to end all forms of gender-based violence in Haiti;

·         Encourage the administration, through the State Department and USAID, to support the Haitian Government's proactive steps that are consistent with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights' recommendations on sexual violence in IDP camps, to eliminate gender-based violence; and

·         Reinforce the efforts of the Haitian Government as it contemplates comprehensive legislative reforms aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.

In addition to introducing the resolution, Congresswoman Wilson co-sponsored a forum with her fellow Democratic congressional representatives, Barbara Lee and Maxine Walters of California, where leading experts and activists discussed gender-based violence in Haiti. The panelists included Marie Ange Noel of Fanm Deside, Emmania Duchard of KOFAVIV, an organization established by and for rape survivors from the poorest areas of Port-au-Prince, Marguerite Salomon of Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV), and Margaret L. Satterthwaite of the New York University School of Law.