Haiti is the most vulnerable country in Latin America and the Caribbean to climate change. In an island nation where 40% of the population depends on small-scale agriculture as their primary food supply, the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters is catastrophic.  The situation for women farmers is compounded by deeply rooted attitudes and practices that create an environment conducive to violence against women. In Haiti, 29% of women ages 15-49 report having experienced physical violence by the age of 15. Gender inequities limit the opportunities women have to contribute to their families’ food supply and economic well-being.

One Day’s Wages partnered with Tearfund USA to train and equip 110 women smallholder farmers in Haiti’s Sud-Est region to increase their agricultural yields and fight hunger in their community. Tearfund collaborated with a Haitian-led partner, Etapase, to train the farmers in climate smart agriculture techniques.  Each woman received vegetable seedlings for her market garden and learned to make natural pesticides. To address gender inequities, the women also participated in awareness campaigns about sexual and gender-based violence.  As a result, a majority of women increased their knowledge of organic market gardening techniques and are regularly using these new practices!