September 2000

In September 2000, the Open Society Institute awarded a fellowship to a member of Dwa Fanm to develop a Haitian community-based organizing project on domestic violence. Haitians Against Violence at Home (HAVH), Dwa Fanm's largest initiative, is based in a confidential location in New York and advocates for women at risk, battered women and survivors. HAVH has undertaken an educational campaign against violence to women through workshops on public Haitian television and radio, well known Haitian street corners, and at community based organizations and institutions throughout New York City. Through these workshops and referrals, HAVH helps battered women survive domestic violence by teaching them about their right to safety, birth control options, ways of protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, and opportunities for financial independence.

October 2000

• In October 2000, we began the first women's rights radio and television information campaigns within the immigrant Haitian communities of New York City to focus on women's issues like sexual harassment, protecting children from abuse, women's financial independence and financial management, domestic violence and sexual abuse. We estimate that we have reached thousands of listeners and viewers so far. These appearances have stirred people's thoughts and brought some controversial responses. Radio staff and other community members tell us that the talk shows have a great impact. While we got comments from men like, "If women get any more rights, then I might as well not be a man anymore," and, "Women are no good; now you give them ammunition," some men and many women have told us, "It's about time."



• For Domestic Violence Month in October 2000, we organized the first Haitian community forum in Brooklyn on this taboo subject. Called "Behind the Door," it broke the silence about the terrors of domestic abuse and exposed violations of human rights perpetrated against women and girls in the community.

November 2000

In November and December 2000, we provided legal, medical, social service and religious institutions with Creole language materials on domestic violence. This step was long overdue. With the assistance of women from the community who volunteered as translators, Dwa Fanm was able to develop and supply these materials. Dwa Fanm volunteers also distributed the first Creole language brochures and leaflets with culturally accurate information on domestic violence to hundreds of members of the Haitian community.