Haiti recorded more than 5,500 cases of gender-based violence during the first half of 2026, the majority involving the rape of women and girls, according to the United Nations. The UN said that around 70% of the reported sexual violence cases were rapes, many allegedly committed by armed gangs.
The Caribbean nation continues to face a deep political, social, and economic crisis, with powerful criminal groups responsible for killings, rapes, kidnappings, and widespread looting. The ongoing insecurity has left civilians, particularly women and children, increasingly vulnerable.
More than 1,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported in June alone. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq described the trend as an “alarming increase” and called attention to the growing impact of violence on Haiti’s population.
