Committed to the Rights of Haitian Women and Girls
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Committed to the Rights of Haitian Women and Girls |
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Femme Notre Histoire
Suzanne Louverture 
Women In Haitian History A panorama of women who have impacted political life in our country Produced by the Women's Ministry on the status and rights of Haitian women in honor of International Womens' Day March 8, 1998 as part of an exposition featured at the Musee du Pantheon National Haitien from March 6th - 16th, 1998. |
Introductions and excerpts to the films of eight Haitian women directors, live music performances and reception. http://www.dwafanm.org, 718-230-4027 Brooklyn Museum of Art 200 Eastern Parkway, corner of Washington Ave,near the #2 or #3 subway Brooklyn stop. Dwa Fanm ("Women's Rights") Celebrates The Voices of Women and Haitian Women Survivors of Violence. The voices of women, the voices of Haitian women, will be heard on March 22 at the Brooklyn Museum of Art from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM when the organization Dwa Fanm meaning "Women's Rights" in Haitian Creole acknowledges its 3rd year and Women's History Month. The Museum celebratory event and benefit "Voices of Women" will highlight excerpts from eight films directed by Haitian women. The films are concerned with women's struggles, racism and gender oppression, homosexuality and voodoo, class and economics, child prostitution and child labor. Dwa Fanm is an organization dedicated to eradicating all forms of discrimination, injustice and violence against Haitian women and girls.
Its mission: The organization advocates for Haitian emigrants, helps them understand their rights and traverse their new situation. A community organizer, a social worker supervisor, a case worker are part of their seven person staff assisted by Master's and undergraduate college interns. One of Dwa Fanm's major programs is HAVH, Haitians Against Violence at Home. It is the first organization in the New York area that addresses issues of domestic violence for Haitian women. Visits and referrals, counseling, accompaniment to court, housing resources, emergency shelter referral and funds and play therapy for children are part of their services. Peer education is part of the program also. Women meet their case managers at a confidential location in Brooklyn. The administrative office is in Park Slope. All field staff are bilingual. West Indian and French-speaking African women have made use of Dwa Fanm's resources in addition to Haitian women. The Survivors Advisory Board, nine survivors of violence, of childhood sexual abuse, rape, political violence in Haiti, and domestic violence advise Dwa Fanm's general board and staff. They are seriously active. They are working with the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence and the NYPD Headquarters to develop a training curriculum for police responding to domestic violence calls in the community. They are also organizing to affect policy that prevents victims of domestic violence from getting public housing because of a past legal history. They have organized in family courts in all five boroughs to insure that written domestic violence legal materials are also available in Haitian Creole.Dwa Fanm's executive director Ms. Farah Tanis cautions, "When people in the United States think of survivors of domestic violence they automatically think, 'poor, uneducated, and disadvantaged’. Women of domestic violence represent a diverse group across class and education lines." The Survivors Advisory Board includes a radio talk show host, an economics major at Fordham University, a Pace University law student, a security guard, a receptionist, an administrator, and a mother and a housewife. In June the Advisory Board will be doing street theatre and interactive skits with the communities in parks and bus stops and at vegetable stands in East Flatbush, Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Midwood. "We want women to know we're a resource," says staff member Molly Houston, hoping that Dwa Fanm's outreach can include public service notices in public venues such as the subways. "We're also meeting at schools, churches, and community based organizations to let people know we're here." Past years' benefits have helped build community awareness while raising funds to help women victims of violence in Haiti and New York and have helped support and raise funds for feminist organizations and other groups committed to the survival, respect and dignity of Haitian women and girls. "We're interested in expanding in all areas of women's rights," says Ms. Houston. Child domestic abuse and girls empowerment education including workshops on sexual abuse prevention and self-defense classes for girls are future projects the organization wants to develop. Saturday's benefit includes a reception, live musical performances and raffles. Filmmaker Laurence Magloire will be present with her film Of Men and Gods (the intersection of homosexuality and Haitian vodou) and filmmaker Michele Stephenson will present excerpts from Faces of Change (individuals from 5 countries shoot their own stories at home and at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa.) Starting on March 26 at 5:30 pm and then for the following 5 consecutive Thursdays at Brooklyn Central Library Grand Army Plaza the previewed entirety. Films by the Haitian women filmmakers will be screened there. Ticket holders will be given priority seating. "Voices of Women is our third event," says Dwa Fanm's Board Chair Professor Carole Charles. "This event is to amplify women's voices, promote women's work, and acknowledge their activism, their struggles, and their achievements." Dwa Fanm will inaugurate its newsletter Fanm Vanyan, "Brave Women", at the event. Tickets can be ordered from http://www.dwafanm.org or 718-230-4027. The Saturday, March 22 event will be at Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Parkway, corner of Washington Ave, near the #2 or #3 subway Brooklyn Museum stop. Discounts are available for museum members, seniors, and students.
Dwa Fanm presents VOICES of WOMEN Performances by jazz singer Myriam Augustin and Alix (Buyu) Ambroise, Eddy Bourjolly, Robert (Bob) Raymond and Sergo Decius, and songstress, Sandra Lebrun. Reception. Ticket reservations: 718-230-4027 http://www.dwafanm.org
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