8 Dec 2012

HAITI / WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Portrait of Haitian poet and singer Barbara Guillaume, who uses her voice to advocate for women’s rights in Haiti. Monday (10 December) is Human Rights Day. MINUSTAH

Posted at: December 8, 2012 12:04 am

Duration: 05:50

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: HAITI / WOMEN'S RIGHTS
TRT:  5:50
SOURCE: MINUSTAH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: CREOLE / NATS

DATELINE: 13 NOVEMBER 2012, PORT- AU- PRINCE, HAITI

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, Barbara Guillaume singing.
2. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"Singing for me is a great tool to get my messages through and to make also people understand what I want."
3. Med shot, sign of medical clinic "Klinik lafanmi"
4. Med shot, patients waiting
5. Wide shot, reception of the clinic, Barbara talking to people
6. Various shots, medical consultation for a patient
7. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"I must say it was before a clinic for women, but given the reality of the area, it is for women, children and the whole family. It deals with everything that relates to diseases of women."
8. Various shots, medical consultation for a child
9. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Mother of a baby patient:
"I came with my baby who had fever, flu, and colic. Also during my pregnancy, I used to come here, I received treatment, medicines, I think the services are good. "
10. Medium shot, registration process of a patient
11. Close up, nurse's face
12. Med shot, a patient receiving treatment
13. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Marie-Lynn Brice, Patient:
"To treat my injuries, it costs a lot of money if I go to the other health centers. But I thank God that this clinic is located here in the area. I can find free care and medication, I thank God."
14. Various shots, English class
15. Med shot, Guillaume singing
16.  Various shots, Guillaume meeting with women at the "Women Empowerment" class
17. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Gedelen Latendresse, Trainer Course "Women Empowerment"
"The programme is really good for both the area and for us, because it teaches us how to behave in the area and help others to behave."
18.  Various shots, meeting with children
19.  Med shot, young woman
20.  Various shots, children playing
21. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"We realize that our mentality is one of the first things that bother us throughout our lives in Haiti, but we are moving on by little steps to see how we can change behaviour of people."
22. Various shots, Guillaume with a child 
23. Various shots, Guillaume singing
24. Various shots, Guillaume talking to people
25. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara  Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"We want Cité Soleil to get out of the state where it is now, as everyone considers it as a special area where everyone has the desire to live. It is a dream that we cherish. This is a project on which we are currently working on. It is difficult but we are very aware. As I say, we try one last time."
26. Various shots, Guillaume interview
27.  Various shots, Guillaume singing

STORYLINE:

This is a voice that does not pass without being heard, including the message it conveys.

Haitian women's leader, poet and singer Barbara Guillaume together with her colleagues is singing the Creole version of "One woman" which was played during the inauguration ceremony of UN Women in February 2011.

An activist for women's rights, Guillaume wants to convey messages that are addressed to all women in Haiti.

Daughter of a pastor, Guillaume began very early, singing in church. Her first album was released in 1987, the second a year later, however it was censored. But this didn't stop her from singing.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"Singing for me is a great tool to get my messages through and to make also people understand what I want."

In addition to singing, Guillaume is advocating the health, safety and well-being of women in Haiti. After the earthquake in January 2010 in Wharf Jeremie, a neighbourhood of Cite Soleil, the organization "We advance", created by three American women and Guillaume, opened a clinic.

In this clinic international and Haitian doctors give free treatment to about 200 people per day. According to Guillaume, in the beginning clinic mostly focused on women's health, but, given the reality of the area, it has expanded its patient base.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"I must say it was before a clinic for women, but given the reality of the area, it is for women, children and the whole family. It deals with everything that relates to diseases of women."

Approximately 8000 families live in Wharf Jeremie and the majority has between five and eight children. Malnutrition, skin diseases and vaginal infections are the most common diseases treated here.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Mother of a baby patient:
"I came with my baby who had fever, flu, and colic. Also during my pregnancy, I used to come here, I received treatment, medicines, I think the services are good."

The clinic also receives women who are victims of domestic violence. Due to fear of reprisals, only few go to the police and report. But here, at least they get medical help.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Marie-Lynn Brice, Patient:
"To treat my injuries, it costs a lot of money if I go to the other health centers. But I thank God that this clinic is located here in the area. I can find free care and medication, I thank God."

In the building next to the clinic, Guillaume opened an education center where free English classes are offered. The population of Wharf Jeremie can come here every day to learn language and become better qualified for the job market.

Guillaume also continues to work for women's rights. Every two months she meets the trainers of the course "Women Empowerment", who teach how to deal with domestic violence, human rights, health, malnutrition and first aid after an accident.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Gedelen Latendresse, Trainer Course "Women Empowerment"
"The programme is really good for both the area and for us, because it teaches us how to behave in the area and help others to behave."

Every Saturday in the premises of the organization "We advance" girls take civic education classes. The children can express themselves, and they are listened to.  The participants of this course are mostly girls living around the local markets.  While learning their rights, they are also taught about good behaviour in society.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"We realize that our mentality is one of the first things that bother us throughout our lives in Haiti, but we are moving on by little steps to see how we can change behaviour of people."

Guillaume, herself a mother of two children, has a big heart for children's rights. In one of her songs she says that "children have become trafficking goods".

For the community in which she is engaged, the singer's ambitions are great.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Barbara Guillaume, Singer and Activist:
"We want Cité Soleil to get out of the state where it is now, as everyone considers it as a special area where everyone has the desire to live. It is a dream that we cherish. This is a project on which we are currently working on. It is difficult but we are very aware. As I say, we try one last time."