National Young Mayoress 2026 Competition selects 100 candidates from 1,112 applications
Ten young women from each of Haiti's ten departments advance in an initiative promoting female leadership in local governance.
The closing of registrations and the results of the first stage of the National Young Mayoress Competition 2026 (Concours National Jeune Mairesse 2026) took place this week at the Montana Hotel, according to icihaiti.com. In total, 1,112 applications were received and examined across the national territory. Following an evaluation conducted jointly by 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, 10 candidates were selected in each of Haiti's ten departments, for a total of 100 young women advancing in the competition. Sharina Lochard, Secretary of State for Local Authorities, said the milestone would continue the initiative's mission of promoting female leadership and civic engagement. Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé praised the candidates and tied the effort to the government's focus on security, stability and the organization of elections. Minister for the Status of Women Pédrica Saint-Jean reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to supporting women candidates. UN Women representative Marie Goretti Nduwayo called the competition a space of citizenship and hope, while FENAFEMH President Scutt Phillipeaux applauded the program and urged transparency and responsibility at each stage.