France Backs ATECO Project Training Women for Construction Jobs in Jacmel

In Jacmel, the Association of Construction Technicians (ATECO) is implementing a project aimed at facilitating women's access to careers in the construction industry, according to haitilibre.com and lenouvelliste.com. The initiative is funded by the French Embassy through the "Fonds Équipe France" (FEF) and seeks to reduce gender inequalities in a sector still largely perceived as male-dominated while strengthening women's economic empowerment. As part of the project, 35 individuals — 65% of them women — received training in various construction-related fields, gaining technical and practical skills intended to ease their professional integration. Some participants are already working in the field. Sœurette Toussaint, a building construction technician now employed at a construction site in Jacmel, said the training had improved her economic situation and made her self-reliant. Jonas Milien, President of ATECO, said the project is helping shift perceptions about women's role in Haiti's construction sector and challenge stereotypes that limit their access to technical professions. Laurent Clavel, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action at the French Embassy in Haiti, described the effort as illustrating "France's vision of feminist diplomacy in Haiti," adding that opening construction trades to women demonstrates that more inclusive societies require valuing all talent without stereotypes or exclusion.