This year, as part of a new project in collaboration with 10 women led organizations from around the globe and led by Coaches Across Continents, we focused on Climate and Gender. The purpose of the project was to empower female leaders and raise awareness on how the climate crises impacts women. By increasing knowledge and confidence regarding gender and climate issues we are creating a legacy of empowered women who can become activists within their communities.
Coach Dyna from GOALS led the work for us in Haiti and she shares her experiences in an interview with our Executive Director.
How did you feel being chosen the leader of the Climate and Gender project?
I was proud to play the role of the leader for this project. I had to learn the material and I had others following me so it was important to me to do a good job.
What did you learn in doing the project?
I learned a lot about equality for women and I learned a lot from the women in the program. I was giving to them through the Purposeful Play games and they were sharing their thoughts back.
They explained to me that an issue in their community is that they have to go fetch water really far and sometimes on the road they encounter men who hassle them or try to be violent or sexually attack them. At that same time, they defend themselves and have other men that step in and defend them. So, they can be put in vulnerable situations just providing for the basic necessities of the home.
How was it received by other female leaders?
In the group of 20 female leaders they were motivated by the program and proud to be a part. They were into the work and sharing what it was like around their house and community. They asked if the work could continue.
Do you think this type of work is needed?
This work is important. When you participate youth and women in this type of work it is important that they have the opportunity to learn and share their voices. And it is important that that this type of work continue.
What is the importance of this work? (In general, and in Haiti)
The importance of this work is to share knowledge and to show youth and women how to share their stories and experiences. They learn the history and experiences of others. In Haiti the knowledge is needed so that it can be shared in other communities throughout the country so that people are prepared for the situations that arise in front of them.
After the recent flooding due to a tropical storm, we shifted part of the project to cover disaster preparedness. How was that received?
We did a special training on disaster preparedness and how people can protect themselves and their property from natural disasters. The participants had not heard the information before and everyone was happy to be a part. We gave each participant information sheets that they could share with their neighbors plus a tree seeding to plant at their home.
Any other thoughts?
We can continue this work because it is needed and when we get more communication going between community members there is more comprehension and that is needed in our country.