Claudette Werleigh facts for kids

Claudette Werleigh (born 26 September 1946) is a Haitian politician. She made history as Haiti's first female prime minister. She served in this important role from 1995 to 1996.

After her time as prime minister, Werleigh continued to work for peace. In 1999, she became a director at the Life & Peace Institute in Sweden. Later, in 2007, she became the Secretary General of Pax Christi International. This is a Catholic peace organization based in Belgium. In 2010, she became a Peace Envoy for the same organization.

Early Life and Education

Claudette Werleigh was born in 1946 in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. Her family was involved in business. Her father had also been a Member of Parliament before she was born.

Claudette attended schools run by nuns. She studied many different subjects. These included medicine and teaching. She studied in Spain, the US, Mexico, and Haiti. She earned degrees in law and economics from the State University of Haiti. In 1978, she became a registered lawyer.

Career and Social Work

From 1968 to 1970, Werleigh worked as a medical technician and chemist in the United States. She then worked as a physiologist in Switzerland from 1971 to 1973. From 1973 to 1974, she was an adult educator in Haiti.

In 1970, she married George Werleigh. He was an economics professor. They had two daughters together.

Claudette Werleigh was very active in social and educational work. She joined many non-governmental organizations. These groups focused on teaching adults to read and providing help to people in need. From 1976 to 1987, she was the Secretary General of Haiti National Caritas. She traveled all over the country helping people. She also coordinated Caritas International's work in the Caribbean. In 1979, she started ITECA. This is one of Haiti's most important educational groups.

She also helped start the League for Women's Empowerment. This group worked for equal rights for women. It also encouraged women to get involved in politics. Werleigh believed that women were very important to society. She also thought they were good at making peace.

Political Roles

In 1990, Claudette Werleigh began working in public administration and politics in Haiti. From March to August 1990, she was the Minister of Social Affairs. She served in this role in President Ertha Pascal-Trouillot's government.

When Jean-Bertrand Aristide became president, Werleigh joined Prime Minister Rene Preval's team in 1991. She supported the Lavalas movement, which backed the president. From 1993 to 1995, she was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religions. She served in the governments led by Prime Ministers Malval and Michel.

Prime Minister of Haiti

Claudette Werleigh became Prime Minister of Haiti in 1995. She was the first woman to hold this high office. Her main goals were to strengthen the country's leadership. She also worked to organize democratic presidential elections.

As prime minister, she chose a cabinet with 17 ministers, including four women. She aimed for fairness in politics, society, culture, and the economy. She gained financial support for energy, farming, and road building. She also improved Haiti's relationships with Cuba and Taiwan. Werleigh tried to make Haiti less dependent on other countries. She also paused the process of selling off government-owned businesses.

However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held back loans. This caused a political challenge. Rene Preval was later elected president. He was an ally of Aristide. Preval wanted Werleigh to continue as prime minister. But the majority in parliament had changed. They needed to approve the prime minister. So, Werleigh decided to step down and left the country.

Working for Peace Globally

In 1999, Claudette Werleigh became the director of the conflict transformation program at the Life and Peace Institute in Sweden. Her work took her to many conflict areas. She visited countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Western Europe.

In 2007, she was chosen as the Secretary General of Pax Christi International. This is a Catholic peace movement that works worldwide. They focus on human rights, security, and economic justice. Before this, she was a vice president and a member of the executive committee of Pax International from 1992 to 2001. In 2010, she became a Peace Envoy for Pax Christi International.

See also

In Spanish: Claudette Werleigh para niños