In a context marked by persistent insecurity and a multidimensional humanitarian crisis (1) , girls are among the populations hardest hit by the violence plaguing the country. They face numerous protection risks: sexual violence, exploitation, school dropout, family separation, early marriage and unions, as well as recruitment and use by armed groups (2).

Between April and June 2026, 3,335 incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported, 71% of which were sexual violence. Among the survivors identified, 14% were girls under the age of 18 approximately 467 girls, while armed groups were reportedly involved in nearly 70% of the cases (3). These figures reflect only reported cases: fear of reprisals, stigma, and a lack of accessible services mean that many girls do not dare or are unable to seek help.

“The alarming statistics on violence against girls in Haiti remind us that urgent action is needed. No girl should be forced to drop out of school, suffer violence, or see her dreams jeopardized by the crisis. We call on authorities, communities, and partners to join forces to ensure their protection and enable them to thrive in a safe environment,” said Margherita Fanchiotti, Director of Program Development, Quality, and Impact at Save the Children in Haiti.

“Haitian girls demonstrate remarkable resilience, but no girl should have to choose between her safety and her future. Investing in their protection, education, and participation is essential to building safer, more inclusive, and more resilient communities. On this International Day of the Girl, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing their rights and ensuring that they can learn, thrive, and fully realize their potential,” says Prospéry Raymond, Country Director of Plan International Haiti.

Plan International, Save the Children, and their partners call for:
• Strengthen protection services tailored to girls;
• Guarantee safe learning environments;
• Support the reintegration of girls associated with armed groups;
• Ensure their participation in decisions that affect them.

Working alongside their partners, authorities, communities, and children, Plan International and Save the Children are working to strengthen protection and access to education in Haiti. Thanks to these efforts, thousands of children have benefited from essential services: access to safe spaces, psychosocial support, learning opportunities, as well as activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. These interventions help build their resilience and safeguard their rights, even in the most challenging crisis situations.

Rerefences:
(1) https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-une-crise-multidimensionnelle-entrainant-des-deplacements-continus
(2) https://news.un.org/fr/story/2026/10/1159597
(3) Relief Web, Haiti: Snapshot on Incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – April–June 2026, accessed October 6, 2026, https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-snapshot-sur-les-incidents-de-violences-baseessur-la-genre-vbg-de-avril-juin-2026

Jn Reynald Dorzina MAXIS
Communications and Advocacy Officer, Plan International Haiti
Phone: +509 46 82 5895
Email: jeanreynalddorzina.maxis@plan-international.org

Carl CANGÉ
Communications Officer, Save the Children Haiti
Phone: +509 39 07 38 41
Email: carl.cange@savethechildren.org

Plan International is an independent humanitarian and development organization that promotes children's rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every girl, boy, adolescent, and young person, but this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination, and it is girls who are most affected. By working alongside children and young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, addressing the root causes of the challenges facing girls and vulnerable children. We support the rights of children and young people from birth to adulthood and empower them to prepare for and respond to crisis and adversity. We lead changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge. For nearly 85 years, we have brought together other optimistic individuals and entities to transform the lives of all girls, boys, adolescents, and young people in more than 80 countries. We will not stop until we achieve equality.

We have been working in Haiti since 1978, in some of the most vulnerable urban and rural communities in the South, Grand’Anse, North, Northeast, Northwest, Central, and West regions, including the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. With the support and collaboration of local partners, we provide assistance in the areas of child protection, education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene, food security and livelihoods, as well as emergency preparedness and response. We remain fully operational despite the challenges posed by the current situation.