Report on the 8th Nègès Mawon Feminist Festival: “Pouvwa” and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Overview

The feminist collective Nègès Mawon held its 8th annual festival in Pétion-Ville, Haiti, from July 17 to 19. Under the theme “Pouvwa” (Power), the event served as a critical platform for examining the role and influence of women in Haiti’s political and social landscape. The festival’s objectives align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Through a combination of art, theatre, and panel discussions, the event highlighted the systemic barriers preventing women’s full participation in society and advocated for their inclusion in shaping Haiti’s future.

2.0 Thematic Focus and SDG Alignment

2.1 Advancing SDG 5: Gender Equality

The festival’s core mission was to address the marginalization of women from decision-making processes, a key target of SDG 5. The theme “Pouvwa” encouraged a critical reflection on power structures that exclude women and other marginalized groups. The event aimed to empower women to claim their space in the political sphere, ensuring their voices are central to national debates on constitutional reform and elections.

• Performances and artworks depicted the real-life struggles of Haitian women, from community leaders excluded from national debates to individuals navigating personal trauma.
• Discussions centered on dismantling the structural and social forces that limit women’s access to power, in line with SDG Target 5.5 (ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership).
• The festival also addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence, a critical component of SDG Target 5.2 (eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).

2.2 Addressing SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The event was set against a backdrop of national crisis, characterized by the collapse of state institutions and the rise of gang violence. This context underscores the festival’s relevance to SDG 16, which seeks to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

According to organizer Micaëlle Charles, “The form of governance in Haiti does not at all reflect the vision of society upheld by feminists.” This statement points to a failure in achieving SDG Target 16.7 (ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making). The pervasive insecurity, which has “invaded even the most intimate spaces of women—their own bodies,” directly contravenes SDG Target 16.1 (significantly reduce all forms of violence).

3.0 Key Issues and Panel Discussions

Panel discussions at the festival explored critical questions concerning women’s empowerment and the obstacles they face. These discussions sought to identify actionable strategies for advancing feminist agendas amidst Haiti’s ongoing crises, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3.1 Central Questions Addressed:

• Why is it so difficult for women in Haiti to access power?
• What structural and social forces limit their decision-making capabilities?
• How can alliances and partnerships help feminist agendas gain traction?

4.0 Socio-Economic Impact on Women

The festival highlighted how the current security crisis disproportionately affects women, undermining progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

The plight of the Madan Sara (women vendors) was cited as a prime example. As noted by Micaëlle Charles, “Insecurity limits women’s access to public spaces and affects their ability to earn money. Madan Sara can no longer safely come to the capital to sell. Many are raped, robbed, or killed by gangs.” This situation illustrates a direct assault on women’s economic independence and pushes them deeper into poverty and precarity, further hindering the achievement of the SDGs.

5.0 Conclusion and Strategic Imperatives

The 8th Nègès Mawon festival reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring that women’s rights and experiences are integral to building a sustainable and equitable future for Haiti. The event served as a powerful call to action, emphasizing that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is impossible without the active and equal participation of women.

5.1 Key Takeaways from Organizers:

• Systemic corruption and impunity create instability that disproportionately harms women.
• The presence of women in power does not guarantee a focus on women’s issues, highlighting the need for feminist oversight.
• It is imperative for women to be present at decision-making tables to advocate for their rights and collective well-being.
• The concept of “power” must be re-examined to ensure it is inclusive of women, peasants, LGBTQ+ people, and youth.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the Nègès Mawon feminist festival, which directly addresses the “continued marginalization of women from decision-making spaces” and seeks to empower women in Haiti’s political and social spheres. It explicitly discusses systemic inequalities, violence against women, and the need for women’s participation in leadership, all of which are core components of SDG 5.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article describes a context of a “collapsing state” where “armed groups continue to overtake public space.” It highlights issues of “gang violence,” “insecurity,” “systemic corruption and impunity,” and the killing of women. These elements directly relate to the goals of reducing violence, promoting the rule of law, and building effective, accountable institutions.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects insecurity directly to economic disempowerment. It states that insecurity “limits women’s access to public spaces and affects their ability to earn money.” The specific example of the “Madan Sara” (women vendors) who “can no longer safely come to the capital to sell” illustrates how violence and instability are destroying livelihoods and preventing women from participating in economic life.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article explicitly mentions that the ongoing crises, including insecurity and the shuttering of facilities, are “pushing women deeper into poverty and precarity.” This directly links the breakdown of social order and the specific targeting of women to an increase in poverty, which is the focus of SDG 1.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

   This target is identified through multiple references to violence. The article mentions that “insecurity has invaded even the most intimate spaces of women—their own bodies,” and that women vendors are “raped, robbed, or killed by gangs.” The performance piece “Adelina” also highlights “the abuse of girls within their families.”

2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

   This is the core theme of the festival “Pouvwa” (Power). The article points to the “continued marginalization of women from decision-making spaces” and the exclusion of “community leaders from national debates.” The call to “be present at decision-making tables” directly reflects the aim of this target.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article’s description of a “collapsing state” threatened by “gang violence” and armed groups directly addresses this target. The specific mention that women vendors are “killed by gangs” provides a clear link to reducing violence and death rates.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   This target is relevant due to the mention of “systemic corruption and impunity.” The term “impunity” specifically points to a failure of the rule of law and the justice system, where perpetrators of crimes (including violence against women) are not held accountable.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.

   The article shows how the lack of safety is a direct barrier to employment for women. The statement that insecurity “affects their ability to earn money” and the example of the “Madan Sara” who can no longer conduct their business safely shows a clear violation of the principles of decent and safe work for women.

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty.

   The article directly connects the ongoing crises to poverty by stating that the situation is “pushing women deeper into poverty and precarity.” This shows that the issues discussed are not only about rights and safety but also have a direct, negative impact on the economic well-being of women, increasing their poverty levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.2: The article implies the need to measure the “prevalence of physical, sexual, or psychological violence against women.” The anecdotal evidence of women being “raped, robbed, or killed by gangs” and the performance about “abuse of girls within their families” suggest that tracking the frequency and nature of such incidents is a key measure of progress.
• Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: The article implies the relevance of measuring the “proportion of women in leadership and decision-making positions.” The focus on the “marginalization of women from decision-making spaces” and the call to be “present at decision-making tables” suggest that an increase in the number of women in political and public life would be a primary indicator of success.

Indicators for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: The article implies the need to track the “number of victims of intentional homicide and conflict-related deaths, disaggregated by sex.” The specific mention of women being “killed by gangs” highlights the importance of measuring violent death rates, particularly for women, as an indicator of public safety.
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: The mention of “impunity” implies the need for an indicator that measures the “strength of the rule of law and accountability.” This could be measured by tracking the proportion of cases of violence (especially against women) that are investigated, prosecuted, and result in convictions.

Indicators for SDG 8 & SDG 1: Decent Work & No Poverty

• Implied Indicator for Target 8.5 & 1.2: The article implies the need for an indicator measuring “women’s labor force participation and economic security.” The story of the “Madan Sara” being unable to work safely suggests that tracking the ability of women to engage in economic activities without threat of violence, and the resulting impact on their poverty levels, is a crucial measure of progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: haitiantimes.com