"I was a victim, and I did not find justice. But know I will get it for other women.”
-Malya Villard-Appolon
In 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the nation of Haiti. Millions were left homeless, having to live on streets, deprived from safety. Due to the lack of safety, women and children were being sexually abused and not taken care of. The conditions were described as ‘...dehumanizing," Tooze said. “Over months and months, it increases all forms of violence, including sexual violence."’ Malya Villard-Appolon was one of the many women who was victimized and felt the need to change victim’s lives. With this confidence, Malya was able to be a co-founder of an organization, helping women and children, called KOFAVIV (Komisyon Fanm Viktim pou Viktim). The following paper analyses the stages of Malya Villard-Appolon steps to establish women rights in Haiti. This is done through an account of her past experiences, the co-foundation of KOFAVIV, and the public’s response to her action.
Malya Villard-Appolon was a victim of sexual violence. This experience inspired her to take action to prevent other innocent women of going through the same nightmare. Malya did not only experience the pain of sexual abuse herself, but also had to watch others die trying to protect her. “For me, this is a huge thing. I was raped in 1992 and in 2003; I survived an attempted rape in 2010.” She also had to watch her husband die in her favour, “ her husband died as a result of beatings he endured trying to save her from being raped.” (CNN Website) Her husband having died to save her and fight for her rights made her realize that what he’s doing is right. His death added on to the amount of sorrow that slowly built up in her like a fragile glass tower, breakable with just the slightest push. After that day she knew she wanted no other women to experience the same amount of pain she did. As Malya barely managed to cope with her own experience of sexual abuse, her knowledge of the death of her husband as well as the rape of her fourteen-year-old daughter, proved to be too much to handle. When Malya’s young daughter was victimized, Malya was the one who had to take care of her. She tried to get attention from people, she needed help. Malya’s daughter had to be taken to a hospital yet no one was paying any attention to the helpless women. “My daughter was raped.” She told CNN, and even though, “she escorted her daughter to two police stations and received no assistance...” She received, “just a lot of talk.” (CNN Website and CNN Website) With this rejection, Malya realized that women and children in her situation would receive the amount of careless looks she got. Her search for help for her daughter proved to be pointless, as there was no organization offering any. This led to her will to co-find an organization with this cause of her own. After realizing that women’s rights are demolished in Haiti, Malya was able to be one of the co-founders of the organization KOFAVIV that helps victims.
The KOFAVIV organization helps women and children who have been victimized in many convenient ways. KOFAVIV, originally established in 2004 by women who were survivors of sexual abuse, does many things to make the victims life easier. They start by, “...accompanying the victims to the hospital within 72 hours of being raped.” They also have, “more than 10,000 military and police personnel are now helping to provide security throughout the country, and hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers have been assigned to specifically work with the Haitian National Police.” They also have good facilities such as, “better lighting has been installed in some displacement camps.” (CNN Website) The basic procedure that KOFAVIV offers for victims is quite reasonable as it makes victims feel comforted and this is the most important aspect of the many when it comes to sexual abuse. Most of the victims do not have the money to afford a medical certificate and legal proceedings. This is also very sympathetic as KOFAVIV funds these procedures for them so they don’t have any difficulties getting back on their feet. The facilities they offer the victims are also appropriate if you keep in mind how many women they help out and the fair amount of camps they have set up. As it seems, women have been finding KOFAVIV a beneficial organization that is able to get them out of their dark hole. Out of many stories, Alvana’s is touching and eye-opening. Alvana was another victim, but thankfully she was able to find help with KOFAVIV and was able to realize she still has a chance in life. “Depressed and unsure of what to do next, she was directed by a friend to a clinic run by KOFAVIV...Alvana was given food, water, housing and prenatal care. She decided to keep her daughter, even though the psychological pain could be difficult.” (CNN Website) Alvana’s story is far too common in the lives of women living in Haiti, but KOFAVIV was able to help her understand that she still has a chance in life and will not give up on her baby even though it was a product of sexual abuse. KOFAVIV helps victims psychologically a lot because most of them want to get rid of the baby and fall into a deep black hole. KOFAVIV prevents this from happening and Alvana is one out of a thousand examples. Sadly, the mere existence of an organization to help fight for women’s rights in Haiti might not always be enough, as the government has to support the initiated movements as well.
In order for Haiti to blend as a nation, they must be able realize the tragedies happening to these women and step up for them. So that they once again can be described as a nation, “be loved in Haiti”. The advancement that KOFAVIV is showing is tremendous. They are starting to create an atmosphere that is against sexual abuse and hurting innocent women and children. People are starting to realize the pain and sadness these women have to go through. "All this progress is the result of advocacy by KOFAVIV and other grassroots women's groups and their allies," Concannon said. "I believe that the progress has the potential to play a key role in transforming attitudes about violence against women -- not just in the justice system, but in Haitian society as a whole." (CNN Website) The progress that KOFAVIV is showing seems to transform the attitudes of the Haitian society, which is one step closer to a blended nation. As it says in the quote it plays ‘a key role’, meaning that it is the main reason why attitudes about non-violence is being changed. KOFAVIV is starting to make Haiti a better place. Even though KOFAVIV is showing progression, the military does not seem to be supporting them. It has been reported that the military have shown no interest in supporting these organizations. Also with psychological help, the victims are not afraid to come out and report their abuse, but still none of the reports are pulled through as the government rejects them all. “This report concludes that documented accounts of rape by uniformed military personnel and their allies are on the rise, that no action has been taken by the military authorities to denounce rape or to punish those who engage in it, and that the military authorities have failed to provide Haitian women with judicial redress as required under both international and domestic law. Although the evidence does not suggest that Haitian military leaders are actively promoting an explicit policy of rape, they are presiding over a campaign of systematic violations of human rights that clearly includes rape.” (UNHCR Website) The military has a big impact on the nation of Haiti, and by them not paying any attention to these women’s pleads, they are making the country uninterested and leave the women hanging. The nation can only blend and connect once again if they have support from everyone, including the military. Although women are becoming braver in reporting cases of rape, and have centers in which to do so, the government of Haiti is not yet doing enough to facilitate woman protection any further.
As evident, Malya Villard-Appolon went through some heartbreaking, exhausting steps to get to the point where she is now. Malya herself was victimized twice and had to watch her husband die so she can live, with this anger within her she was able to co-found KOFAVIV. Even though KOFAVIV is showing progress within the Haitian society, the military is still not cooperating. “I gave my entire life for this project. This will enable me to continue to fight, and I hope it brings about a change for my country.” -Malya Villard-Appolon. We must all join in and help Malya succeed in her mission, don’t leave this helpless women and children hanging, and make a change!
(Mytoptens)
-Malya Villard-Appolon
In 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the nation of Haiti. Millions were left homeless, having to live on streets, deprived from safety. Due to the lack of safety, women and children were being sexually abused and not taken care of. The conditions were described as ‘...dehumanizing," Tooze said. “Over months and months, it increases all forms of violence, including sexual violence."’ Malya Villard-Appolon was one of the many women who was victimized and felt the need to change victim’s lives. With this confidence, Malya was able to be a co-founder of an organization, helping women and children, called KOFAVIV (Komisyon Fanm Viktim pou Viktim). The following paper analyses the stages of Malya Villard-Appolon steps to establish women rights in Haiti. This is done through an account of her past experiences, the co-foundation of KOFAVIV, and the public’s response to her action.
Malya Villard-Appolon was a victim of sexual violence. This experience inspired her to take action to prevent other innocent women of going through the same nightmare. Malya did not only experience the pain of sexual abuse herself, but also had to watch others die trying to protect her. “For me, this is a huge thing. I was raped in 1992 and in 2003; I survived an attempted rape in 2010.” She also had to watch her husband die in her favour, “ her husband died as a result of beatings he endured trying to save her from being raped.” (CNN Website) Her husband having died to save her and fight for her rights made her realize that what he’s doing is right. His death added on to the amount of sorrow that slowly built up in her like a fragile glass tower, breakable with just the slightest push. After that day she knew she wanted no other women to experience the same amount of pain she did. As Malya barely managed to cope with her own experience of sexual abuse, her knowledge of the death of her husband as well as the rape of her fourteen-year-old daughter, proved to be too much to handle. When Malya’s young daughter was victimized, Malya was the one who had to take care of her. She tried to get attention from people, she needed help. Malya’s daughter had to be taken to a hospital yet no one was paying any attention to the helpless women. “My daughter was raped.” She told CNN, and even though, “she escorted her daughter to two police stations and received no assistance...” She received, “just a lot of talk.” (CNN Website and CNN Website) With this rejection, Malya realized that women and children in her situation would receive the amount of careless looks she got. Her search for help for her daughter proved to be pointless, as there was no organization offering any. This led to her will to co-find an organization with this cause of her own. After realizing that women’s rights are demolished in Haiti, Malya was able to be one of the co-founders of the organization KOFAVIV that helps victims.
The KOFAVIV organization helps women and children who have been victimized in many convenient ways. KOFAVIV, originally established in 2004 by women who were survivors of sexual abuse, does many things to make the victims life easier. They start by, “...accompanying the victims to the hospital within 72 hours of being raped.” They also have, “more than 10,000 military and police personnel are now helping to provide security throughout the country, and hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers have been assigned to specifically work with the Haitian National Police.” They also have good facilities such as, “better lighting has been installed in some displacement camps.” (CNN Website) The basic procedure that KOFAVIV offers for victims is quite reasonable as it makes victims feel comforted and this is the most important aspect of the many when it comes to sexual abuse. Most of the victims do not have the money to afford a medical certificate and legal proceedings. This is also very sympathetic as KOFAVIV funds these procedures for them so they don’t have any difficulties getting back on their feet. The facilities they offer the victims are also appropriate if you keep in mind how many women they help out and the fair amount of camps they have set up. As it seems, women have been finding KOFAVIV a beneficial organization that is able to get them out of their dark hole. Out of many stories, Alvana’s is touching and eye-opening. Alvana was another victim, but thankfully she was able to find help with KOFAVIV and was able to realize she still has a chance in life. “Depressed and unsure of what to do next, she was directed by a friend to a clinic run by KOFAVIV...Alvana was given food, water, housing and prenatal care. She decided to keep her daughter, even though the psychological pain could be difficult.” (CNN Website) Alvana’s story is far too common in the lives of women living in Haiti, but KOFAVIV was able to help her understand that she still has a chance in life and will not give up on her baby even though it was a product of sexual abuse. KOFAVIV helps victims psychologically a lot because most of them want to get rid of the baby and fall into a deep black hole. KOFAVIV prevents this from happening and Alvana is one out of a thousand examples. Sadly, the mere existence of an organization to help fight for women’s rights in Haiti might not always be enough, as the government has to support the initiated movements as well.
In order for Haiti to blend as a nation, they must be able realize the tragedies happening to these women and step up for them. So that they once again can be described as a nation, “be loved in Haiti”. The advancement that KOFAVIV is showing is tremendous. They are starting to create an atmosphere that is against sexual abuse and hurting innocent women and children. People are starting to realize the pain and sadness these women have to go through. "All this progress is the result of advocacy by KOFAVIV and other grassroots women's groups and their allies," Concannon said. "I believe that the progress has the potential to play a key role in transforming attitudes about violence against women -- not just in the justice system, but in Haitian society as a whole." (CNN Website) The progress that KOFAVIV is showing seems to transform the attitudes of the Haitian society, which is one step closer to a blended nation. As it says in the quote it plays ‘a key role’, meaning that it is the main reason why attitudes about non-violence is being changed. KOFAVIV is starting to make Haiti a better place. Even though KOFAVIV is showing progression, the military does not seem to be supporting them. It has been reported that the military have shown no interest in supporting these organizations. Also with psychological help, the victims are not afraid to come out and report their abuse, but still none of the reports are pulled through as the government rejects them all. “This report concludes that documented accounts of rape by uniformed military personnel and their allies are on the rise, that no action has been taken by the military authorities to denounce rape or to punish those who engage in it, and that the military authorities have failed to provide Haitian women with judicial redress as required under both international and domestic law. Although the evidence does not suggest that Haitian military leaders are actively promoting an explicit policy of rape, they are presiding over a campaign of systematic violations of human rights that clearly includes rape.” (UNHCR Website) The military has a big impact on the nation of Haiti, and by them not paying any attention to these women’s pleads, they are making the country uninterested and leave the women hanging. The nation can only blend and connect once again if they have support from everyone, including the military. Although women are becoming braver in reporting cases of rape, and have centers in which to do so, the government of Haiti is not yet doing enough to facilitate woman protection any further.
As evident, Malya Villard-Appolon went through some heartbreaking, exhausting steps to get to the point where she is now. Malya herself was victimized twice and had to watch her husband die so she can live, with this anger within her she was able to co-found KOFAVIV. Even though KOFAVIV is showing progress within the Haitian society, the military is still not cooperating. “I gave my entire life for this project. This will enable me to continue to fight, and I hope it brings about a change for my country.” -Malya Villard-Appolon. We must all join in and help Malya succeed in her mission, don’t leave this helpless women and children hanging, and make a change!
(Mytoptens)
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