Two women killed in Saint-Michel within 48 hours; Maison d'Haïti calls for action on femicide

Leakkhena Seng, 44, was killed on Saturday, August 15. Kerline Jean, 41, was killed two days later in her Saint-Michel apartment. Both deaths were linked to domestic violence; police confirmed that Jean's death occurred in a domestic violence context and that children were in the apartment during the tragedy.

Maison d'Haïti, a community organization serving immigrant women, said Thursday that two femicides in one neighbourhood within 48 hours cannot be dismissed as isolated. "Behind these femicides, there are shattered lives, traumatized families, and children who will bear the consequences of this violence for a long time," said Arcelle Appolon, the organization's director general.

Maison d'Haïti highlighted barriers some immigrant and racialized women face when seeking help: isolation, economic insecurity, lack of awareness of resources, linguistic or cultural barriers, and fear of losing family or social networks. The organization called for accessible support, shelter, psychosocial assistance, and protection services for all women regardless of status, origin, or social condition.

With elections approaching, Maison d'Haïti is asking political parties to include concrete policies to combat femicide in their platforms. The organization is organizing a march and vigil Saturday, August 22, beginning at 9 a.m. at Papineau Square in Frédéric-Back Park, with speeches and testimonies at 10 a.m.