Opportunity in Haiti : women as agents of resilience in post-disaster reconstruction

Abstract

The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, caused severe spatial and social disruption of many communities. Over the past sixteen months, as international and national institutions struggled to respond in an effective and efficient manner, Haitian women, and their organizations, have served a central role in cultivating stability within affected communities. As institutions and communities seek to reconstruct the material and social foundations of Haiti, focusing on the contemporary actions of Haitian women provides opportunities to further support their empowerment and to transform approaches to post-disaster reconstruction. Building on historical narratives of resilience, Haitian women's organizations can place themselves at the root of a new national narrative, one that emphasizes the centrality of their concerns to the creation of broader social stability, and leverages their ability to weave together fragmented elements of society. Additionally, as international relief and development institutions re-engage in a discussion of how to best address fundamental challenges of communication, coordination, and continuity in post-disaster reconstruction, integrating a focus on women's agency will highlight ways in which the persistence of women's networks and organizations can support an integrated, culturally appropriate and ultimately sustainable process of reconstruction.