SOFA

Part of a dialog on Bob Corbett's Haiti list, February 1996

During a recent visit to Port-au-Prince I had the opportunity to meet briefly with a women's group. At that time they introduced themselves as SOFA but I did not realize until yesterday that SOFA is actually a larger organization of which, I presume, this group was a branch. I understand that SOFA is an acronym for Solidarite Fanm Ayisyen. Can anyone tell me more about this organization. How is it structured? What is their focus? The group I met with was involved in education sexuelle, education civique, sewing initiatives, cooking initiatives and literacy initiatives. They mentioned that they were planning a workshop/seminar on International Women's Day (March 8, 1996) entitled La Femme et sa Sexualite.

Aside from where I could learn more about SOFA does anyone have any information about other initiatives for International Women's Day in Haiti.

(this message is from Cynthia Faggetter)

SOFA also works with women who were raped during the coup. About 45 women meet to give each other support and to ask other groups for help. They need medical and psychological care. The church turned them down. The US group MADRE has sent them medical equipment for a clinic. Several of them became pregnant from the rapes.

MADRE: 121 W. 27 St., NY, NY 10001

Anne Barstow c/o Tom Driver