Update - Women's Summit Idea - shared with Haitian women's groups there...

Hi all,

I had a chance to speak at length today with Carole Pierre-Paul Jacob of SOFA and got an update about her organization's activities and the other women's networks, who just completed Intl Women's Day memorial activities yesterday. They were joined by Maria Suarez of FIRE.. .SOFA is working with FIRE and is comfortable with Dwafanm as an organization they are used to working with in the US....

Quick updates:

Carole is delighted to hear about the Poto Mitan: Rebuilding Haiti initiative - and is sharing this info with other women at Kay Fanm, Fanm Deside - (and I am calling them too).

They have some documents analysing their situation that she will send me today.

March 31 meeting: She isn't sure which delegates may attend the March 31 Donor's conference, but says the Minister of the Women's Condition will, and so may Kathy Mangones of UNIFEM. I hope to speak with Kathy later today to find out, or this week certainly. They like the idea of a 'launch' and some discussion ofi women's issues - and can work with us on a statement and some 'asks' related to the Donors meeting.

Women's Summmit: I brought up the proposed idea of a post-disaster Women's Summit - to take place in Haiti - and she was extremely interested and said she speaks for other women leaders.

. She asked me to - TODAY - quickly write up a short description of the idea, so that it could be shared in a meeting TOMORROW that several women's organizations/leaders will attend (as part of the coalition KONAP).

Re the summit - a quick summary of feedback:

The women's groups are very interested in a summit that would allow them to reflect with women leaders in Haiti and outside, and representatives of key UN and multisector intl players in relief,. reconstruction effort (who lwould participate and listen, but not necessarily present..):

They are very interested in a meeting that focuses on providing analysis, but more importantly, discusses and identifies intiatives, solutions to emergency and medium-term recovery/construction - that provides a gender grassroots 'frame' to look at the national rebuidling agenda and identified Opportunties, Challenges, Partnerships.

They could foresee a 3-day meeting in which:

1) Haitian women leaders/orgs provide a national/regional update of their activities/needs/steps taken in post-disaster recovery

2) a focused discussion/debate about women's participation/concerns related to the emerging national Haiti reconstruction plan (they call it 'construction'... ) ie the, PDNA Post Disaster Needs Assessement and blueprint - to see how it does/ doesn't/could respond to women/girls and community needs - and what is needed to make it more responsive .. what'action' items emerge for donors, diaspora, UN Cluster, etc..

3) discuss possible concrete initiatives, twinning, sister-city projects in sectors of: emergency/relief; medium-term recovery such as security, healthcare (including women's health, disabled women/girls, mental health), job creation for women,

4) I didn't bring this up, but will include the idea of a memorial aspect- some commemoration - maybe presentation of plaques that will be displayed at women's offices, or somewhere in Haiti - honoring women leaders and the many unknown, unnamed women who died on January 12.

5) Finally, they were excited by the idea of having global women leaders come to Haiti and the chance to really work together and felt this might be a very effective. Carole agreed with something I have heard from others: that a meeting like this needs to take place sooner than later - as donor moneies anad projects are being introduced quickly and it's important to have them well directed from the get-go.. also there is real concern about the possible storms and hurricanes, so Disaster Preparedness is one thing that they need support around.. and this should be before the beginning of Hurricane Season, which is June 1.

In other words, a summit before June 1. Also, they agreed with the concept of not overthinking the meeting, but setting up a few important presentations and allowing plenty of time for real facilitated, focused discussion, and enough time to invite people from outside Haiti to come.

MORE SOON. Taina - will you call me or I'll try you?

-- AC