Union des femmes de Martinique
Defending women and children’s rights
Impact location : Martinique
Donation amount : 5000€
Project supported in 2025
In Martinique, 1 in 5 women is a victim of domestic violence, 1 in 4 is a victim of violence at work, and 1 in 10 is a victim of violence in public spaces. The Reception and Support Centre receives and monitors an average of 800 women (including 500 new cases) per year and approximately 200 children. This represents between 1,200 and 1,400 visits per year by women and children.
Since 1 February 2022, children have been recognised by law as co-victims of violence committed within the couple. In addition, all violence suffered by mothers can have an impact on the physical and mental health, safety, proper development, emotional bonding, etc. of their children from conception and pregnancy onwards.
These consequences can affect children well into their adult lives. We know, for example, that people who have experienced violence in childhood are more likely to be perpetrators or victims in adulthood.
Support for children is essential if we want to reduce the impact of violence in Martinique society, which is two to three times higher than the national average. Such support is virtually non-existent in Martinique.
To carry out this project, we are implementing:
- Weekly psychological follow-up sessions for children: clinical interviews with the children, followed by feedback to the mother and the multidisciplinary team;
- Monthly consultations with a childhood specialist for mothers: answers to their questions regarding both child development and the mother-child relationship;
- Group workshops:
- Between children or teenagers, 2 to 3 times a month: educational, recreational and expressive activities. The aim is to offer children and teenagers a space to express their emotions, deconstruct gendered representations, manage conflicts and build healthy relationships;
- Between mothers and children once or twice a month: expressive activities. The aim is to promote the rebuilding and strengthening of the mother-child bond in the context of post-violence.
- Between mothers once a month: educational and information workshops. The aim is to strengthen mothers’ parenting skills, answer their questions and provide them with information.
The organisation carrying the project
The Union des Femmes de Martinique (UFM) is a feminist association, established under the 1901 law, founded in June 1944. Its mission is to work for the emancipation and defence of women’s rights. To this end, its volunteers and employees work in three areas:
- raising public awareness for a more egalitarian society and against violence against women: Angela Davis Resource Centre, advocacy and information campaigns, etc.
- prevention and training for schoolchildren, professionals, institutions and associations.
- welcoming and supporting women victims of violence and their children.
In 2000, faced with a lack of resources in the region, the UFM created the first Listening, Information and Support Centre to respond to the distress of women victims of violence. Since 2012, the association has run the only Regional Day Centre in Martinique. Both facilities are located at the Maison de Solange in downtown Fort-de-France. Nine monthly drop-in centres in 11 municipalities complete the network, enabling the UFM to serve women from the north to the south of the island. All these facilities are grouped together within the Reception and Support Centre.
A team of five social workers provides unconditional support to women aged 15 and over who are victims of past or present violence of any kind, suffered in any type of relationship (couple, family, work, friendships, public spaces, etc.). We also support the children of women who are victims of domestic violence. We also advise relatives, witnesses and professionals who are in contact with victims.
Key facts
- 2000: Creation of the Listening, Support and Information Centre for women victims of violence.
- 2012: Creation of the Regional Day Centre for women victims of violence.
- 2022: Launch of the support project for children who are co-victims of violence.
- In 2023: 19 mother-child workshops held – 12 families supported
- In 2024:
- June: launch of psychological support services for children
- 27 support sessions held
- 39 children received
- 9 women supported with parenting
- 11 mother-child workshops held
- 14 families supported
