Photo: Paula Allen. The Spotlight will highlight the high levels of violence against women and girls in Haiti, and will focus on the increased rates of sexual violence since the devastating earthquake that took place in January All funds raised through the Spotlight Campaign will be used to support a revolutionary national program in Haiti lead by a coalition of women activists - including longtime V-Day activist Elvire Eugene - that is addressing sexual violence through art, advocacy, safe shelter, and legal services.
According to the Haitian government, , people died as a result of the earthquake, , were injured and over 1,, were left homeless. Basic amenities like medical care, food, water, and electricity were out of reach for countless Haitians. As there are now 1, refugee camps across Haiti, we know that thousands of women and girls are being forced to live in high-risk situations.
While women have spoken of widespread rape in the camps and the fear of being attacked, hard data on the number of rapes that have occurred is hard to come by. Few cases of rape are being prosecuted. Haitian women lawyers are working to change this reality so that more women use legal avenues available to them and justice is reached.
Through the V-Day Spotlight Campaign on the Women and Girls of Haiti, thousands of women and men throughout the world will be exposed to the issues facing women and girls in the devastated region. The Spotlight Campaign will raise funds to ensure lasting impact on the ground, supporting the revolutionary V-Day program which will establish three safe houses - each with an office of legal assistance for survivors of violence - in Cap Haitien, Fort Liberte, and Port de Paix respectively.
In addition, the campaign will support four legal assistance offices in Port-au-Prince in the Bois de Bouquet, Delmas, Gressier, and Canape Vert areas, and will provide advocacy support for 19 community based organizations throughout the country doing anti-violence work.
