Poto Mitan

When we look at Haiti we see a nation of disenfranchised people living in absolute poverty. But within this world of already disenfranchised people there is a group with an even lower standard of living, women. Women in Haiti are not treated as equals, they are exploited and paid much less than men while also shouldering the responsibility of keeping a family together. Although men are an important aspect in any culture, Haitian women are the absolute backbone of the society. Poto Mitan follows women through their daily lives trying to give people on the outside a glimpse of this very difficult way of life. A good majority of this film deals with working conditions in factories that employ a large portion of Haitian women. In one such example we are shown a toilet that is used by over 100 people daily and is hardly ever maintained. The working conditions are absolutely horrid and if any code exists, it is not enforced. According to women in the factories the water they are given to drink is so disgusting they will not drink it or they will be sick. Cleaner water is available but employers do not see their employees, especially women employees, as equal. So then why? Why do these women continue to work these jobs? They have no choice. Most Haitians are in debt to other Haitians or businesses and on $2.64 a day it is for most people impossible to get ahead. They must work to keep a roof over their heads and food for their family, and even food is sometimes a luxury. There is no other option, they are trapped. One quote that stuck with me from Poto Mitan was “This job has not benefited me. I can’t say it is nothing because i don’t sleep in the street, but it’s like washing your hands to wipe them on the ground..” The men and women of Haiti are perpetually caught in a catch 22 with no escape in sight.
Saying that changing anything in Haiti is like