mother and wives and not as equal citizens. But women were far from being only mothers and wives. They were large contributors of the Haitian history. Even before fighting for the independence they were already turning to ways to reclaim their identity and take control over their body. women have always been associated with motherhood and as reproducers. Their sexuality was controlled by the slaves' owners who wanted them to have many children so that it would make more work force on the plantation. They were also raped by their masters. To protest against slavery and repossess their control over their sexuality, women killed some of their children and also relied on abortion#.
             Women later were still facing discrimination. They were working very hard in their home and outside the home. They had to cook, clean and take care of their children, and at the same time they also had to earn money. Women worked in the rural areas by selling fruits and vegetables or meat in markets. Some, who often had to save a large amount of money, were able to open small shops. The women migrating to urban areas worked as maids for middle and upper-class families. Other who couldn't find work had to turn to prostitution. Women also worked in factories. One of the problem women were facing was that they were unequally paid compared to men. For the same work and the same hours, they received much less money. They started to protest against that and ask for equal pay for equal work. Women were also victims of sexual harassment and other discrimination.
             They were deprived from certain rights. It took them a long time and many protests to finally gain the right to vote in 1950. Suffrage was important for women because it opened doors for them. This right, given to them, posed a problem to the state since before women were seen as dependent. This also meant redefining the meanings and role of gender. By gaining access to vote implied a certain independency...