The commemoration of International Women’s Day by the MSS fraternity, under the theme “Accelerate Action,” highlights the critical role of women in restoring peace and security in Haiti, where gang violence has disproportionately affected women and children. The deployment of female officers is a strategic move, combining kinetic operations with soft approaches to conflict resolution.
Event Participation
On March 8, 2025, female officers from the Kenyan contingent (SWAT team), Guatemala, the Bahamas, and Haiti’s National Police (PNH), including units such as CNAF, Politour, and Edu Pol, participated in the International Women’s Day event. Members of the diplomatic corps, including Antoine Michon (France), André François Giroux (Canada), Joanna Gómez (Mexico), and Bahamas Vice Consul Weston Saunders, also attended. Representatives from civil society organizations, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and UN Women were present.
Leadership Commitment
HNP Director General Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge led the initiative, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between female police officers in Haiti’s National Police (HNP) and MSS. They emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in security operations, recognizing their unique skills, knowledge, and contributions. Otunge highlighted MSS’s zero-tolerance policy on gender-based violence (GBV) and the establishment of programs such as the Complaint Reporting Mechanism to support victims and ensure accountability.
Diplomatic Support
U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, H.E. Dennis Hankins, commended MSS for its commitment to gender inclusion, emphasizing that it is a key pathway to achieving gender parity and empowering women. Other members of the diplomatic corps echoed his sentiments.
Female Officers’ Resolve
Female police officers reiterated their unwavering commitment to making Haiti safer, emphasizing that Haitian women must not continue to suffer under gang rule. They issued a strong warning to criminal groups, declaring that victory will come through the determination and resilience of female officers, who are fully prepared to restore Haiti’s lost glory.