Ms. Blogger
Lina Abirafeh
I am a gender & development practitioner and researcher with 12 years of experience in some incredibly interesting countries like Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea--and now Haiti. I focus mostly on gender-based violence but have worked on a broad range of gender issues including HIV&AIDS, political participation, etc.--whatever is needed to promote gender equality wherever I might be! For instance, in Papua New Guinea I worked on gender issues through an HIV&AIDS program, addressing sexual violence as both a cause and consequence of HIV status. In Sierra Leone, I worked with sexual assault referral centers to address the needs of women survivors of violence. In Afghanistan, I set up an international NGO to provide basic services, rights training, and skills training for Afghan women. These experiences led to my PhD--researching the effects of gender-focused international aid in conflict and post-conflict contexts, with a specific focus on gender-based violence. My book, “Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan: The Politics and Effects of Intervention”, was released late last year. And now I’m in Haiti – working as the Gender-Based Violence Coordinator with the UN Humanitarian Response.
Lina Abirafeh's Posts
Haiti’s Women 6 Months Later: Getting Back to Work
July 12, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · 3 Comments
Nearly six months after the earthquake in Haiti, those of us involved in the UN humanitarian response are still struggling to provide those who have survived sexual violence with access to services they need–not an easy task, since there wasn’t much in the way of services for them to begin with. At the same time, [...]
Haiti Post-Quake: In Unity We Find Strength
May 18, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · Leave a Comment
Today is Flag Day in Haiti. This symbol of Haitian freedom was sewn by Catherine Flon–I mentioned her in a previous post–on this date in 1803. Catherine created a symbol that represents the struggles for freedom in Haiti and the heroes and heroines who made it possible. The flag is blue and red, with the phrase [...]
Treating Rape Survivors in Post-Earthquake Haiti
May 13, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · 3 Comments
During National Health Week, we might take a few moments to think about health issues of women beyond U.S. borders–such as in Haiti, where I’m stationed with the U.N. humanitarian response. As residents of the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, women in Haiti have always struggled with health concerns, and those have only been [...]
Even One Rape in Haiti is Too Many
March 25, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · 2 Comments
I visited a camp for homeless earthquake survivors in Haiti–one of many, but this one stands out. Mud. Torn tarps. Tents branded with an array of aid logos. A few wild dogs on the outskirts. And thousands of people, everywhere. I spoke to so many women: How are you? What are your biggest concerns? Do [...]
Haitian Feminists Celebrate Lost Leaders
March 14, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · 2 Comments
What better place to have spent International Women’s Day than in solidarity with Haitian feminists? It was a moving event full of singing, speeches, candles and tears, marked by profound respect for Myriam Merlet, Magalie Marcelin and Anne Marie Coriolan–feminist leaders who were lost during the earthquake. The event was organized by CONAP, the Haitian women’s umbrella organization, [...]
Dispatch from Haiti: Finding Safe Spaces for Women
March 8, 2010 by Lina Abirafeh · 3 Comments
March 4, Port-au-Prince. Five days into my new life in Haiti, working for the United Nations. Days are so full it feels like I have been here much longer. Working on gender-based violence is always a full-time job, but more so here than anywhere else I’ve been. This work has taken me around the world–to [...]
