Tuesday, November 6, 2012, FOKAL and the Swiss Embassy in Haiti inaugurated the exhibition « Sans femmes pas de paix» (No peace without women) that will be held until November 14 in the FOKAL atrium, at 143, Christophe avenue, Port-au-Prince. «The exhibition is in tune with the initiative (1 000 peace women for a Nobel Peace prize) that has not been widely talked about in Haiti» said Mme. Lorraine Mangonès, FOKAL executive director. In fact, in 2005,         1 1000 women were nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for their work against violence, war and injustice, to represent the thousands of women working for peace around the world. These women now make up the international network «World women of peace».

«In setting up this exhibit in Haiti, FOKAL and the Swiss Embassy in Haiti want to sensitize the authorities and the population at large to the problems of recognition and defense of women and girls in the country» said Her Excellency Mme. Edita Vokral. She reminded all that of the women nominated in 2005, three were Haitian; Roseanne Auguste, Nicole Magloire and Paula Clermont Péan.

The exhibit shows the «World women of peace», the U.N security council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security which first recognised the role of women in the consolidation of peace in the world, and also fifteen women who have received the Nobel Peace prize since its creation as well as the Haitian nominees of 2005.

Many diplomatic corps members were present for the opening ceremonies of the exhibit, such as the ambassadors of France, H.E. Didier Lebret; of Brazil, H.E. José Luis Macado Costa; of Canada, H.E. Henri-Paul Normandin; and from Germany, H.E. Klaus Peter Schick. Personalities from the cultural sector also attended such as the École nationale des Arts director, M. Philippe Dodart, the MUPANAH director, Mme. Michèle Frisch and many others.

Two of the three Haitian nominees were also present; Mme. Roseanne Auguste and Mme. Paula Clermont Péan. «Peace is something that is built bit by bit, every day, in all domains and situations. To reach this goal, perseverance is needed, love and especially hope found in the eyes of the other» said Mme. Péan.

The exhibit can be visited from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 4 pm until November 14 in the FOKAL atrium.