Haiti's Nurses

As I read this article about ending gender-based violence - the timing couldn't be more perfect. I want to tell you about what the young student nurses of Leogane, Haiti have just been discussing in their public health nursing class this morning - a class that I am here teaching: There are 5 men and 17 women in this class.

We asked the men to give us their ideas about how men can help to reach the MDG of gender equality - specifically - to curb the violence against women here in Haiti - violence that has taken a dramatic up-swing since 1/12/2010.

A bright young Haitian man, Armand Marah, offers his suggestions:

*Men should educate other men about why it is bad to hurt women - about the bad effect it has on children and women, and how it is bad for them

*Men should show by example - show respect and be good to women

*Men should protect women

*Men should join-in with women in groups and organizations and with politics - it should not be just women who work to stop it

Simple, eloquent and powerful ideas that apply to us all.

To learn more about the school of nursing here in Leogane - please visit the Haiti Nursing Foundation at www.haitinursing.org (I do not work for them - I am here as a volunteer)...Thank you..

Michele
Nurses for Nurses International
http://nursesfornursesinternational.com