A/HRC/14/44 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 84. The paralysis which followed the earthquake demonstrated clearly that, as long as the fundamental power to take decisions and almost total control of the budget are concentrated in Port-au-Prince, “it takes only a 35-second tremor to lose 30 to 40 per cent of national GDP, because everything is concentrated in the 30 or 40 kilometres of the metropolitan area”.15 In fact, the earthquake also disrupted institutions, depriving the population of access to a number of services and offices essential to the exercise of civil and political rights (registration of civil acts, registration of births, registration for elections, marriages, etc.) and indeed to the exercise of economic and social rights (health, education, etc.). 85. It is certainly not for the independent expert to comment on the administrative organization of the State, but he recommends that the question of access to rights should be given a prominent place in the agenda for reconstructing Haiti and in particular in the debate to be conducted on the reform of the State, in order to ensure that the administration of the State and local authorities facilitates equal access to rights for the citizens of Haiti. In this connection the clear demarcation of local communities and the establishment of responsible management and administration of local communities by mayors, ASECs and CASECs will play a key role in restoring the trust of Haiti’s inhabitants and send out a clear signal of the founding of an inclusive and participatory society. D. Women’s place in governance 86. Haitian women make up half the active population and dominate in some sectors. In peasant farming, women account for 48 per cent of all workers and are in charge of the marketing of products. In the industrial sector, there are many more women than men in some branches and they constitute the larger part (70 per cent) in assembly work, the volume of which has increased considerably over the past 10 years. Women make up the legions of piece-workers and domestic workers. 87. Haiti’s internal commerce is conducted mainly by women. There are nine times more women than men in this category; they travel the country to sell farm products and restock the rural markets and many of the urban markets as well. Among the groups of persons employed on an individual basis, women account for most of the domestic workers, from a very young age and in conditions often close to slavery. 88. In the services sector, however, there are fewer women than men. They are usually found in jobs and occupations traditionally regarded as women’s: secretaries, nurses, teachers. Women are found in the liberal professions but always in smaller numbers than men. A few women are also employed in large-scale commerce, tourism and industry. 89. Women play a fundamental social role in all social classes, and in particular in the lower and middle classes. It often falls to them to bring up the children and provide for their maintenance and education. And they often live alone with these children. Being the family’s sole breadwinner, they have to cope unaided with the life of insecurity and poverty which is the lot of most Haitian families. 90. Women are little involved in the governance of Haiti, but it is important to remember their vital role in helping communities to re-establish themselves in times of crisis. Women’s resilience, stamina and skills constitute at this time a contribution which can be relied on, but they must be given more power, their needs must be satisfied and their rights and security respected; it is essential for women to be fully involved in any restoration and reconstruction process in Haiti. 15 18 Press conference give by the Prime Minister on 3 February 2010. GE.10-13204 (EXT)