Grange salutes fallen women leaders in Haiti

Kingston, January 25, 2010 – The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP has expressed her “deep sadness” at the loss of lives in Haiti caused by the earthquake that struck the country on January 12.
Thousands of men, women and children died, including Myrian Merlet, Magalie Marcelin and Anne Marie Coriolan – the founders of three of Haiti’s most important advocacy organisations working on behalf of women and girls.
Minister Grange, who has portfolio responsibility for women and girls, has paid tribute to the fallen women leaders.
Minister Grange said:”Myrian Merlet, Magalie Marcelin and Anne Marie Coriolan championed the cause of women in Haitian society. They fought various forms of gender-based and violence-based oppression and devoted their lives to making the world a fairer place for women and girls.”
Myrian Merlet was an advisor to the Haitian Government on gender and women’s issues. She was also the former Chief of Staff at the Haitian Ministry for Gender and the Rights of Women; and the founder of Enfofamn, an organisation which raises awareness of women’s issues through the media.
Ann Marie Coriolan was also an advisor on gender and women’s issues and the founder of Solidarite Fanm Ayisyen. She has been lauded for her work to change the perception of rape from a trivial matter to a serious crime.
Magalie Marcelin was a lawyer and actress who worked with victims of domestic abuse. She founded Kay Fanm, which offers shelter and loans to women including victims of domestic abuse.