National Young Mayoress Competition 2026 Narrows Field to 100 Candidates
Officials selected 10 young women in each of Haiti's ten departments from 1,112 applications, icihaiti.com reports.
The closing of registrations and the publication of results for 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 process 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 furthers the initiative's mission to promote female leadership, civic engagement and a new generation of women in local governance. Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé praised the candidates' courage 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 support for women's participation in political life. UN Women representative Marie Goretti Nduwayo called the competition a space of citizenship and hope, while FENAFEMH President Scutt Phillipeaux urged transparency and accountability at each stage.