Before the tragedy, Haiti already had the highest maternal mortality rate in the region, with 670 deaths per 100,000  live births.  Now there is a risk that this situation could worsen as a direct consequence of the earthquake.  

The earthquake has caused serious difficulties, injuries and loss of life in a great part of the population. However,  it also exposes thousands of pregnant women to the risk of suffering complications and death related to pregnancy and delivery.  United Nations organizations are working to make rapid evaluations in order to allow for adequate, effective and efficient relief operations.

Frequently, the effect that natural disasters have on women and girls is aggravated as a result of the direct consequence of gender discrimination, poverty and their role as caregivers to children, sick people and the elderly. The Petateras network reported that women are the poorest and most discriminated population in Haiti, and that this will increase as a result of the disaster that has occurred.

”Forty three percent of Haitian families are headed by a woman. Women are responsible for the domestic chores and caregiving to their families, making them the ones responsible for their families’ survival, care giving and protection in shelters, and the reconstruction of their homes and communities.”

The network called upon governments, United Nations agencies and other multilateral organizations that are coordinating help to the Caribbean country, to place special attention to the support that is given to women. They also urged the Haitian Government to supervise that access to humanitarian assistance will not  generate  greater social exclusion and violence against women.

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