UNIFEM announces deaths, 21 January 2010

It is with tremendous sadness that UNIFEM has learnt about the deaths of several women leaders from governmental and civil society organisations in Haiti.

Among these include Myriam Merlet, who was the Chief of Cabinet of the Ministry of Women’s Condition and Rights and founder of CONAP, the umbrella women’s organization; Myrna Narcisse, the Director General of the Ministry of Women’s Condition; Magalie Marcelin, the founder of KayFamn which operates the only shelter for victims of gender-based violence; and Anne-Marie Coriolon founding member of one of Haiti’s largest women’s groups, Solidarite Fanm Ayisyén (SOFA). These women had a long history of service and commitment to human rights, gender and social justice. Their lives exemplified the character traits of courage, fortitude and optimism. None of them was faint of heart nor easily discouraged by the magnitude of the socio-economic challenges which Haiti confronts. (UNIFEM Caribbean)