History Haitian women, especially those living in rural areas have subjected to discrimination, exploitation, violence for generations although they have played a major role in the struggle for Haiti’s independence and freedom .Discrimination against rural women is a structural feature in Haitian society and culture that has subsisted both in times of peace and unrest. Women’s right groups have emerged in Haiti for several decades; however, they are entirely founded by women in urban areas or elite women. It was in this context, a large group of rural women who were involved in grassroots organizations run by men, convened in a rural area in Archahaie on March 8th 2010, to launch the Alyans Fanm Peyizan Ayisyen (AFPA), which means the Alliance of Haitian rural Women.

March 2010 was only two months after a massive earthquake that shattered Haiti and left over 100, 000 people dead. In the aftermath of the earthquake roads and telecommunication systems were badly destroyed. As a result, the first two years after we launched AFPH, it was difficult to maintain contact with all founding membered dispersed all over the country. Another major obstacle was the lack of financial resources and logistical infrastructure required to run the organization. Toward the end of 2013, especially with the ongoing popularity and affordability of smart phones and telecommunications applications contributed to strengthen our movement while expanding it to more than 50 rural communities.

Due to many obstacles inherent in the Haiti society where the patriarchy has shaped everything, our progress toward the women’s emancipation and gender equity has been slow but steady. The basic services (road systems, health clinic, schools, information technologies, credit system) and the high rate of illiteracy among us have further complicated our efforts. However, due to the open and decentralized structure we developed and promoted, our sister organizations in many rural communities have made a lot progress using the same framework. The most interesting aspect of approach is that all communities within this alliance have a platform to share their experience with one another. As result, we have the ability to know and act upon both the strengths and weakness of all women’s group within alliance. We hope that internet technologies will play a major role strengthening and expanding our alliance to the most remote villages across Haiti.