Where Are the Women?
We live in an era where the gender gap has significantly narrowed. However, recent reports warn that, at the current pace of progress, it will take 134 years to reach full gender parity—that is, until the year 2158, five generations from now.
Women are: in classrooms, in the fields, in communities, in social movements. But even though many gain access to education, deep-rooted barriers continue to hinder their academic advancement. In Haiti, the female literacy rate is 57.3%, compared to 64.3% for men. And only 0.7% of women manage to access higher education, compared to 1.4% of men.
These numbers are more than just statistics—they are a reminder that the gender gap in education remains an urgent reality.
At UNIR-Haiti, we believe that one of the most effective ways to transform this reality is by investing in education. That’s why, as part of our Fanm Yo La program, we created a scholarship designed to help more women complete their undergraduate thesis and obtain their university degree—raising their voices in knowledge production and decision-making.
What Is the Fanm Yo La Scholarship?
The Bous Fanm Yo La is financial, logistical, and technical support designed to help women students complete their undergraduate thesis and graduate.
We believe that completing higher education is a key step for more women to continue achieving their goals and dreams, and for their voices and expertise to play a role in building knowledge and making decisions in our society.
The scholarship is designed so that, within a 6 to 8 month period, recipients can complete their thesis. We adapt to each student’s needs, identifying and eliminating the main challenges they may face.
What Does the Scholarship Include?
- Financial support to cover research and thesis-related expenses (materials, transportation, printing, library access, etc.).
- Technical support: mentorships, academic guidance, and logistical assistance.
- Participation in spaces for political education and feminist leadership.
Priority Research Topics
Recipients’ research must align with key areas for knowledge production in Haiti, such as:
- Women’s rural rights
- Defense of the land and the territory
- Impacts of megaprojects in Haiti
- Migration and its implications
- Social movements and related topics
How Are Projects Selected?
Projects are reviewed by the Fanm Yo La Committee, which evaluates:
- The relevance and significance of the research
- The structure and clarity of the objectives
- The progress made so far
- The realistic possibility of completing the work within the proposed time frame
In the last call for proposals, for instance, 26 projects were received, and those meeting all the criteria were selected.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Valid ID (national card, driver’s license, or passport)
- Updated CV
- Motivation letter justifying the research topic, including the name of the university, faculty, and thesis advisor
- Research project summary, preliminary index, or any work already completed
- Letter from the thesis advisor confirming academic supervision
- Detailed timeline of the work planned for the six-month scholarship period
More Than a Scholarship: A Commitment to Change
The Fanm Yo La Scholarship is not just a response to the systemic violence women face. It is an act of resistance and affirmation of our lives.
In a context where we are being stripped of our dignity, our voices, and our history, we must stand firm.
Because we don’t just resist—we transform. We transform the structures of oppression, the narratives that have silenced us, and, most of all, the future of our daughters and sisters.
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