100 young women chosen from 1,112 applicants for Young Mayoress Competition

One hundred young women move on in the 2026 National Young Mayoress Competition. The first round drew 1,112 applications, and registrations are now closed. Each of Haiti's ten departments has ten candidates in the next stage. Representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities, the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, UN Women and other partners took part in the selection.

Where the results were presented

HaitiLibre reports that the announcement and the close of registrations took place this week at the Montana Hotel. Rezo Nòdwès places the event in Port-au-Prince. It adds that the Office of the Secretary of State for Territorial Communities organized it, around a theme linking female leadership, local governance and elections.

HaitiLibre says Sharina Lochard, Secretary of State for Local Authorities, called the selection an important milestone. She said the initiative would keep promoting civic engagement and preparing a new generation of women for local governance.

What the ministers said

Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé tied the competition to preparations for elections and to decentralization, according to both outlets. HaitiLibre adds that he praised the candidates' courage and potential. Rezo Nòdwès says he regretted how few women sit on municipal commissions and argued for more balanced representation in governing bodies.

Pédrica Saint-Jean, the Minister for the Status of Women, stressed preparing young women for public responsibilities and lifting the barriers to their political participation. HaitiLibre says she also pledged her ministry's support and urged the selected candidates to engage in their communities.

Backing from UN Women and the mayors' federation

Marie Goretti Nduwayo, who represents UN Women, restated her organization's support. HaitiLibre says she described the competition as a space for citizenship, reflection and hope. Rezo Nòdwès says it was presented as a tool for promoting women's political rights.

Scutt Phillipeaux, president of the National Federation of Women Mayors of Haiti (FENAFEMH), called for transparency at every stage of the competition. HaitiLibre says she also asked for respect and a sense of responsibility from everyone involved. She welcomed the competition as a space for training and preparation for future responsibilities.