Those women's rights defenders and organizations remaining are without a base for operations and without resources to handle immediate crisis and future sustainability. Most of the offices of the women's groups have been destroyed. In addition, the offices of the Haiti Women's Ministry were completely flattened. Women are finding it a extremely difficult to find their footing and re-group as they handle the immediate crisis and deliver emergency aid to women and children in Haiti and with little structure and means of communication in place, it has become almost impossible to respond as the incidences of violence increase in the emergency camps.

Clearly, providing relief and protection for survivors must be the immediate priority for the international community. Dwa Fanm fully supports these efforts and encourages everyone to be in contact with organizations that are coordinating direct provision of medical assistance, other donations and supplies to survivors.

But as the international community is beginning to report incidences of violence, we want to get women into the center of the story. It is important even at this early stage in the response to ensure that, as aid is delivered in the coming weeks and months, the UN and the NGO humanitarian community take every step to ensure and protect the human rights of Haitian people to safety and security, especially vulnerable women and children.

The international community, both governmental and non-governmental, must be committed to monitoring the situation in the years ahead to ensure that a rebuilt Haitian society is built on a foundation of human rights and respect for human dignity. We don't want Haiti to be remade without the participation and power of women themselves.

Dwa Fanm means "Women's Rights" in Haitian Creole. Dwa Fanm is committed to empowering every woman and girl with the freedom to define and control their own lives. Through advocacy and grassroots programs, Dwa Fanm works to end all forms of violence, discrimination and injustice in the U.S. and in Haiti.