One of the most enduring symbols of Haitian resilience is the Nèg Mawon – the figure of an unknown former slave who sounded the rallying cry for the Haitian revolution. The statue of the Nèg Mawon itself is a symbol of tenancy and resilience, from the broken chain at his ankle to the conch shell he blows. The statue still stands proudly in Port-au-Prince after decades of dictatorship, the devastating 2010 earthquake and countless mass demonstrations in the movements for reform, accountability and democracy.
It is with this spirit of determination and hope for the future that AJWS partner Nègès Mawon was founded in 2015. The organization continues to draw inspiration from the ideals of justice and freedom carried by the Haitian revolution of 1804. Its founders feminized the name of the Nèg Mawon figure in homage to women’s contributions to Haiti and other freedom struggles across the world.
Today, Nègès Mawon is the leading Haitian feminist organization fighting for the promotion, defense and strengthening of Haitian women and girls’ rights. In the decade since its founding, it has become a distinct voice in Haitian feminism, blending art, communication and activism to advance women’s liberation and dignity in Haitian society, from homes, schools and marketplaces to the National Assembly.
“(We are) building a place where Haitian women know they are safe, loved, respected and valued,” says Pascale Solages, Nègès Mawon Co-founder and General Coordinator.
The organization works to establish women’s autonomy, leadership and equality and create real and effective change in women and girls’ living conditions. The team offers comprehensive support to survivors of gender-based violence in Haiti, helping women access medical care, mental health counseling, legal aid and employment opportunities. It hosts safe houses and welcome centers for survivors escaping domestic violence and the growing epidemic of gang assaults. Its members also engage in legislative and advocacy work to advance public policies on women’s rights and protections, both in Haiti and around the world.
In 2024 alone, Nègès Mawon supported nearly 1,800 women and girls, even as its staff faced their own threats of gender-based violence and gangs. Since its founding, the organization has also trained more than 1,500 women in communication, leadership, and human rights advocacy; held more than 100 trainings; and launched more than 50 awareness campaigns, among other programming. Their NÈGÈS MAWON Feminist Festivals, held annually for the last eight years, have featured hundreds of artists and performances all working toward a shared dream – creating a more equitable Haiti.
Their work has become a living archive of this lineage of Haitian feminism and a continuation of the ideals of liberation and dignity for all.
“Nègès Mawon is more than the projects, the programs, the reports and the numbers,” Solages says. “It’s a living testimony that sorority, engagement, Haitian women’s vision, and leadership can save lives and prove that better worlds are possible.”
Check out photos of Nègès Mawon throughout the years:
