Haiti to integrate more women in the construction sector

This mid-January morning is noteworthy for Natacha Paul - a woman who is defying gender norms by working as a heavy equipment operator. Since construction began in the historic city of Cap Haitian, Natacha's role has been pivotal as she proudly maneuvers a backhoe loader, a heavy machine which consolidated the soil, before installing layers of asphalt for the new 6 Km Road.

"I was living in the Port au Prince when I heard that COAMCO, the firm contracted by the government, is recruiting women. After completing the selection process, I decide to move to the Northern region as I see it was an opportunity to work and contribute to the development of road infrastructure in my country," explained Natacha, reminding that she masters excavators, backhoe loaders and rollers.

In a country where men dominate the construction sector, Natacha is among a few women who level the playing field, despite bottlenecks characterized by social barriers, lack of access to training and gender discrimination. "I have learned to manage heavy machinery more than 15 years ago, but as of today, men are still reluctant to believe that we, as woman, can perform as well or even better than them. This has generated frustration and boycott", she remarked.

Poor record of women in formal jobs

A Gender Assessment published by the World Bank in 2023, found that gendered sectoral segregation is high in the labor market and women face higher unemployment rates and lower labor market attachment than men, facts which may be driven by structural phenomena and cultural and social norms. Women are found more commonly in services, retail, trade, and textile manufacturing jobs, with men dominating fields such as construction.

Two consecutive diagnostics led by the Haitian government, published in 2023, show very few women in the urban transport sector; likewise in the aeronautical sector where only 28 % of staff are women. These correlate with the Census of Civil Servants coordinated by the Office of Management and Human Resources (2014), which revealed that 33% of staff in public administration where women, but only 16% hold a strategic position which requires at least a bachelor's degree, while 40% are in positions requiring basic primary education.

"The World Bank is working with Haitian stakeholders to address barriers that prevent women's participation in society, in their full capacity", said Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, World Bank Country Manager for Haiti. "Women's economic empowerment is essential to drive economic productivity, reduce poverty, strengthen social cohesion, and improve wellbeing across generations".

"I am proud that I inspire other women"

To address discrimination and inequalities faced by women in employment, finance, and productive activities, the World Bank ensures that women can have key roles in the implementation of projects, translating women's human capital into meaningful employment, which is essential to boost productivity, innovation, and job creation.

"We organize training for local construction firms on the gender gaps in their sector. We encourage them to train women in the communities, provide incentives that can boost women to participate in the recruitment process but also to make the construction sites more welcoming for women", said Evelyne Larieux, Responsible for Social and Gender at the Unité Centrale d'Execution of the Ministry of Public Works.

With a World Bank investment of US$ 366 million (30.8% of the portfolio) in the infrastructure sector, having more women trained in the construction profession will increase their ability to contribute to the workforce and the development of their respective hometowns.

Since the launch of the SOS road in October 2025, part of the Cap Haitian Urban Development Project, 4,209 women/days[1] have been generated. Meanwhile, the Resilient Connectivity and Urban Transport Accessibility Projectwhich is rehabilitating about 290 km of road in the country's southern region, has so far created 21,379 women/working day for non-qualification jobs in the community, and 53 formal positions.

"Since my certification, I have contributed to several high-level construction projects, including the private port, prison buildings or important road segments such as the SOS road which will improve the connectivity inside the city of Cap Haitian. I am very proud, as today, I have inspired other women to become a heavy-machine operator".

[1] Product of the number of workers and their daily work.