The news that thousands of women living in makeshift camps in earthquake-stricken Haiti are threatened by serious sexual violence is no surprise to many. But what is baffling is how the authorities seem unable to protect them.
Right from the time of the earthquake, campaigners warned of the possibility of sexual violence and other crimes breaking out if the Haitian government did not make serious efforts. Sadly, it seems the worst fears came true.
Last week, after concluding a three-week visit to the country, Amnesty International said sexual violence is evidenced in many of the emergency camps built to accommodate people left homeless by the earthquake that hit Haiti in January.
In its statement, Amnesty highlighted two particularly shocking cases of young girls raped in the camps – one of them aged just eight.
The group said such incidents increased the appalling humanitarian crisis in the country, and called on the Haitian government to “take immediate and effective measures” to protect women living in the camps.
While we support this call, we believe that the Haitian authorities could do even more, as surely the threat of sexual violence does not exist solely in the camps.
This is also an opportunity for the Irish Government and NGOs such as Concern to further their excellent humanitarian work in Haiti. They could do this by establishing a well-resourced and proactive centre to protect women and girls threatened by sexual violence.
Such an initiative would go a long way towards mending a broken country.
news@metroeireann.com
