469 women obtained planning methods between January and February 2022, 267 obtained the renewal of pre-existing methods. All these women benefited from counseling sessions between January and February in Grand-Anse and the South of Haiti.These women took part in a large awareness campaign and mobile clinics on sexual and reproductive health in the South launched by SOFA and the TOYA Foundation since December 1, 2021, following the earthquake of August 14, 2021, in the municipalities of Abricots, Maniche and Aquin.
The various activities undertaken enable the two organizations to raise women’s awareness of contraceptive methods, to contribute to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, early and unwanted pregnancies and to offer post-abortion and prenatal support to women in need. At the same time, they also aim to educate and sensitize young girls (adolescents) on sexuality and early pregnancy through youth clubs in the three (3) municipalities of intervention.
In Aquin, one hour from the city of Les Cayes, capital of the South department, 74 people received condoms in January. This figure rose to 329 in February. 633 people had their names on the awareness lists in January and February 2022.Two (2) mobile clinics were also carried out of a forecast of five (5) for the month of March.
« Young people don’t really protect themselves, » remarks Fedna Dumézile, a graduate nurse, mentor, and facilitator for the TOYA foundation in Aquin. In one area of the locality, young men install homemade equipment around their penises potentially devastating for the health of young women, testifies the 30-year-old lady. This leads to tears and infections. It can even damage men’s penises and lead to sores. »
320 beneficiaries have been on the list of condom beneficiaries in Grand-Anse since January. In all, 409 people were seen in planning. Some patients are new acceptors, others are users received for renewal or for counseling sessions. Of the ten (10) mobile clinics planned, eight (8) have already been carried out until March 24, 2022.
« People needed the service, » says Christiane Bernard, a 57-year-old nurse midwife. Remote localities are sometimes separated by flooded rivers. This means that women are often unable to travel to health centers. So, under this program, we brought the services to them where they live. »
In the communities visited, we find that there is a serious problem with the education of men and women on family planning. “Men are often very macho,” reveals obstetrician-gynecologist Stanley Verrier. Most of them refuse their wives to adopt a method of family planning because it can be an indicator of infidelity. »
Dr. Verrier covers the South and Grand-Anse with his team, despite the difficulties of access which force him to abandon cars and comfort to take steep paths on foot. “People sometimes have other underlying health issues,” he says. “Small infections are treated but we are sometimes forced to refer them to the nearest health center, due to a lack of medication or appropriate equipment.”
In addition, cases of violence continue to increase in the communities. In the commune of Abricots, Carolle, a worker and senior facilitator for SOFA confides that she has identified three (3) cases of gender-based violence. Through the SOFA’s Douvanjou center in Les Abricots, she provided care for at least three (3) survivors, including a minor, for the month of February. Medical and legal support was offered to them.
It should be remembered that this initiative, implemented and coordinated by SOFA in Grand-Anse and co-executed by TOYA Foundation in the South, is supported by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The monitoring and evaluation of activities is carried out by the Collective of Haitian Women.
