Gender Norms Etiquette in Haiti

Haitian society is generally traditional and patriarchal, so men are often expected to take the lead in public and family settings while women are still commonly judged more by modesty, caregiving, and respectability. In cities you will see women working in business, government, and the informal economy, but in rural areas and older households it is still wise to dress conservatively and avoid assuming very casual gender mixing or flirtatious behavior is acceptable.