Call to Action for the Inclusion of Women in Decision-Making for the Improvement of their Food and Nutrition Security in Haiti

Food security situation of women heads of household

In Haiti, women play a crucial role as key actors in rural development and sustainable agriculture. They also play a crucial role in managing food and good nutrition within families. However, they are often excluded from decision-making processes due to socio-cultural barriers, as well as their limited education and access to resources, which directly affect their lives and the lives of their communities. In a context marked by the intensification of gang violence that leads to the mass displacement of more than one million people, more than half (55%) are women and children. Therefore, thinking about gender equality and women's empowerment must take into account the multiple roles that women play in food systems (producers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and consumers). Thus, an update of the August 2024 gender analysis projection was conducted. 

The update of the projected situation of the gender analysis reveals that female-headed households are increasingly affected by food insecurity. The results show that for the projected period March - June 2025, 50% of the analyzed population (about 3.1 million people) with a woman as the head of household are acutely food insecure (Phase 3 or worse) compared to 49% (about 2.82 million) for the August 2024 analysis, an increase of one percent.

The results of this analysis show that four areas are recording deterioration (5%) in the food security situation for the population with a woman as head of household compared to the situation projected in the August 2024 gender analysis. These are the camps for displaced people (65%), the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area (60%), the Rest West (50%), and the Artibonite (40%), which are in a situation of acute food insecurity (Phase 3 or worse).

Of the twelve (12) units analysed, seven are classified as Emergency phases: i) Displaced persons camps: 35% of female-headed households are in the Emergency phase and 5% (about 3000 people) are in the Disaster phase;  ii) The Centre: 25% are in the Emergency phase; (iii) The ZMPAP: 5% of female-headed households migrate from the crisis phase to the emergency phase, giving a total of 30% in the emergency phase; iv) The North-West: 30% in the Emergency phase; v) The rest of the West: 5% of households switch from the crisis phase to the Emergency phase, giving a total of 25% to the Emergency phase; vi) La Grand 'Anse: 25% are in the Emergency phase. This situation highlights the level of vulnerability of populations with female heads of household in terms of food and nutrition security.

The challenges of gender disparities in food security in Haiti 

In Haiti, according to data from the 2024 National Survey of Food and Nutrition Security carried out by the CNSA, 90% of rural households practice agriculture, with 48% headed by women, highlighting the predominant role of this sector in household livelihoods. In rural areas, women comprise 70 percent of the agricultural workforce in Haiti.  

It should be noted that the participation rate of women in decision-making at the household level is 15%. In addition, only 10% have a say in making decisions on the use of household/family income, and 8% on the use and sale of the quantity of food grown. The information presented in the graph opposite shows the challenges of gender disparities in food security.

The information reveals that nationwide, 74% of men have access to land compared to 54% of women. It should be noted that only 10% of women, compared to 14% of men, say they have access to training on good agricultural practices. The population of female-headed households spends a larger share of their budget on food, at 72%, while the male-headed population spends only 67%. The analysis by gender of the head of household indicates that the population of female-headed households (62%) is more likely to be in the category of households with poor and limited food consumption than those headed by men (52%). This reflects the proportion of women who are heads of households and are more vulnerable to food insecurity. As for the dietary diversity score of households, 31% of those headed by women have a low-diversity diet compared to 27% of those headed by men. These results indicate that female-headed households have slightly less access to a diversified diet, due to economic or social constraints. Regarding the Experienced Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (FIES), an indicator measuring household access to food, female-headed households have a higher percentage of severe food insecurity (40%) compared to male-headed households (20%).

The above information indicates their limited access to inputs, land resources, training, and agricultural techniques, which reduces their ability to contribute effectively to improving food security. In short, the issues of gender disparities in food security show that women are often excluded from decision-making processes due to socio-cultural barriers, as well as their lack of education and resources. Hence, the importance of this advocacy note, which aims to promote the inclusion, equality, and empowerment of women in decision-making in Haitian political, social, and economic life.

Proposal for the inclusion of women in decision-making for the improvement of food and nutrition security in Haiti 

In particular, for the following departments: Centre, North-West, Rest West, Grand 'Anse and South-East, ZMPAP, as well as camps for displaced persons, classified as Emergency (IPC Phase 4), it is recommended to:

• Pay special attention to female-headed households during targeting processes, interventions focused on emergency cash food assistance  
• Implement income-generating activities (petty trade, HIMO, livestock, agricultural kits, etc.) to strengthen women's autonomy and livelihoods.  
• Promote education and awareness-raising initiatives for actors, decision-makers, and communities to change socio-cultural practices that are unfavorable to gender equality
• Strengthening women's education programmes on good food practices
• Promote inclusive agricultural policies that ensure women's participation in decision-making processes and take their needs into account.
• Strengthen the capacities of women's organizations by offering them training (agricultural techniques, processing, conservation, and marketing of agricultural products, etc.)  
• Establish microcredit programs and guarantee funds targeting women to enable them to invest in their agricultural and commercial activities.  
• Support women's agricultural organizations/cooperatives by creating spaces for dialogue, networking, knowledge sharing, and advocacy for their rights.
• Promote psychological and legal support services for women victims of violence to promote their resilience capacity, facilitate the choice of defense mechanisms, and positive adaptation to food insecurity.

Contact UN Women

Sophie Havyarimana, representante adjunto
Mail: Sophie.havyarimana@unwomen.org 

Contact CNSA

Harmel CAZEAU, Coordinador
Mail: hcazeau06@gmail.com