Overview

Over the last decade, children, women, and youth have become increasingly vulnerable to human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labor, domestic violence, and recruitment into crime or violence With over 46 percent of the population under 18 years old, the protection of the rights of children, youth, and women is fundamental to the population's well-being as a whole and to its prospects for economic development.

Since the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti's population has faced increased risks to their security and fundamental human rights. More than 1.2 million people initially displaced to camps, as well as those living in marginalized communities, were subject to a high risk of crime, gender-based violence, and exploitation. The earthquake also exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities.

To strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups in Haiti, USAID is supporting efforts by the Government of Haiti, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community organizations to prevent abuses and address the needs of victims, while strengthening their ability to address these challenges more effectively.

Objectives

Through both prevention and response, USAID's AKSE program (Aksyon Kolektif pou Sekirite kont Eksplwatasyon) aims to protect children, women, and youth who are at risk or are victims of human rights abuse.

Activities

Strengthen and expand networks and selected institutions for child protection monitoring, prevention, and response services by defining, mapping, and supporting child protection networks to improve quality and quantity of services provided in selected departments and communes;

Strengthen and expand networks and selected institutions for gender-based rights and SGBV monitoring, prevention, and response services by defining, mapping, and supporting gender-based rights and SGBV networks to improve quality and quantity of services provided in selected departments and communes;

Enhance enabling environment to address child protection, trafficking, gender-based rights and Sexual Gender-Based Violence, and selected broader human rights issues by stimulating the increased knowledge of social protection laws and regulations, and implementing action plan and strategies to support the protection of human rights in five jurisdictions of the country.

Anticipated Results

• Expanded access to quality services through referral and coordination networks;
• Adoption/implementation of priority laws and policies for the protection of vulnerable groups;
• Expanded and strengthened services and support systems for victims and individuals at risk of abuse, exploitation, and family separation; and
• Reduced frequency of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, trafficking, and recruitment in targeted communities.

Additional Information