March 8, 2025
“I wanted to encourage women on the island to push the boundaries of a society that is often marked by sexism”
Shedlyne, a woman from the island of La Gonave, Haiti, grew up seeing the stark differences between the traditional roles taken on by men and women on the island. Driving a motorcycle, one of the only means of transportation around La Gonave, was considered a “male domain” not available to women like her.
Unsatisfied by these gender norms and the constraints they placed upon her and the women around her, Shedlyne signed up for the 8th class of Fanm K ap Kondwi motorcycle driving courses hosted by Rasin Devlopman.
“My participation in these classes was not motivated by a desire to compete with men, but by a desire to break gender stereotypes,” she explained. She didn’t just want to learn how to ride a motorcycle, she wanted to send a powerful message: women can and should have access to skills, roles and careers that were traditionally denied to them. For her, participation in Fanm K ap Kondwi was about more than just learning to ride; it was about giving women the confidence to push the boundaries imposed by a society marked by sexism.
Don’t forget—when you support Haitian women this month, you get MATCHED 1:1 thanks to generous donations from Mark & Jamie Summers and Brenda Huneycutt!
Rasin Devlopman began offering Fanm k ap Kondwi (“Women who Drive”) courses to young women on La Gonave in 2021. Since the program began, over 160 women have been trained on motorcycle driving.
These classes help increase young women’s ability to participate in the economy and boost their self-esteem; 96% of participants reported an increase in confidence, and more than 75% of graduates report using a motorcycle at least once a month.
Not only has Shedlyne learned new skills through the project, she is also now a role model for other women on the island. Today, Shedlyne sees her participation in “Fanm K ap Kondwi” as an act of leadership and courage, a way to show that gender equality starts with access to equal opportunities. She believes that the program can inspire other women to pursue non-traditional careers and think outside of the box. “Women should not hesitate to learn new skills and embrace careers traditionally considered reserved for men,” she concluded.
Help us support Rasin Devlopman’s women’s programming on the island of La Gonave—projects that are happening right now, despite the current crisis in Haiti and the US foreign aid freeze—at rootsofdevelopment.org/spring-to-action/. Stay tuned throughout the month as we share more stories of impact from these projects!
Sincerely,
Charlie Estes
Strategic Initiatives & Communications Director
Thank you to the Debley Foundation for their support of Rasin’s women’s programming!