In Haiti, women remain largely underrepresented in the music industry. With Zikonnect 3.0, "Women and Music in the Digital Age" the Haiti Jazz Foundation supported 15 professionals from various departments across the country in the concrete structuring of their artistic and entrepreneurial activities.

Implemented by the Haiti Jazz Foundation with the support of the International Organisation of the Francophonie as part of the Women, Arts, Music and Entrepreneurship (FAME) program, Zikonnect 3.0 builds on a structuring program launched in 2022. This third edition marks a significant milestone : it is the first cohort entirely dedicated to women in the Haitian music sector, strengthening their strategic autonomy in a rapidly evolving industry.

Designed as an action-oriented program, Zikonnect 3.0 prioritized readily usable tools adapted to the realities of the Haitian music industry :

• 15 complete Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) finalized and delivered to the beneficiaries;

• A practical kit consisting of 4 checklists for artists (music release, social media communication, concert announcements, etc.);

• A structured document presenting all music industry professions, adapted to the Haitian context and the digital age, produced in partnership with Ayiti Mizik, the Haitian association of music professionals. This document offers a comprehensive overview of the industry's various roles and highlights the numerous opportunities it offers;

• A set of ready-to-use standard contracts.

The trainers' full presentations are now freely available on the Haiti Jazz Foundation's YouTube channel.

Beyond the technical tools, this edition was also marked by the participation of rapper Kanis alongside journalist Carel Pedre, who shared her experience of the realities of the profession and structuring an artistic career in a demanding digital environment. Her testimony, both insightful and inspiring, sparked a genuine awakening among the participants. "Her sharing opened our eyes and prepared us to face the challenges of the industry with greater clarity," one of them confided.

All the tools produced as part of Zikonnect 3.0 are now freely available online on the Haiti Jazz Foundation's YouTube channel.

HL/ HaitiLibre