President Luis Abinader took time off on Tuesday, 8 March 2022 before flying to South America for the inaugural of the new Chilean President, to honor outstanding Dominican women. The Medal of Merit for Dominican Women 2022 was bestowed on 12 Dominican women in a solemn ceremony organized by the Ministry of Women at the National Theater main hall. Vice President Raquel Peña attended the event that was coordinated by Women Minister Mayra Jiménez.
Those honored were:
Mercedes Castillo Sandoval, in the category of journalist; Fidelina (Virtudes) de la Rosa Hidalgo, in the category of feminist; María Acosta Abad, in the category of entrepreneur.
Likewise, Zenaida Mejía Méndez, in the category of outstanding woman abroad (diaspora); Clara González Gómez, in the education category; Francisca Jiménez Paniagua, in the labor category; Lee Mateo Ramírez, in the military-police category; Andrea Hernández Peralta, in the sports category; Dayanira Gatón Guzmán, in the health category; Milagros Saturria de Bello, in the religious category; María Leonides Disla, in the rural category; and Petronila Angélica Gómez, in the posthumous category.
During the ceremony, Women Minister Mayra Jiménez emphasized that 8 March is a day to remember the contributions and sacrifices of women workers in the countryside, industry, services, domestic workers and the diaspora. Jimenez motivated people to ensure equal opportunities and social and labor justice for women.
She said that it is impossible to build democratic societies and sustainable development if women do not participate on equal terms. “Therefore, in our government management, we are promoting public policies to build new relations of equality and power, with the implementation of public policies that ensure women’s economic empowerment via employment, access to credit with the momentum and sustainability of their businesses” she said.
Each of the winners received a cash prize of RD$200,000 and other valuable prizes managed by the Ministry of Women, with the contribution of important companies and institutions such as Banco BHD León, Banservas, Consorcio Energético Macao-Punta Cana (CEPEM) and the Central Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE).
Mercedes Castillo Sandoval, María Eugenia Acosta Abad, Zenaida Méndez and Francisca Jiménez Paniagua will also receive the publication of a book with their biographies. Meanwhile, María Leonides Disla (Mama Liona) and Petronila Angélica Gómez will receive a documentary about their lives.
Milagros Saturria Calzado de Bello and Clara González will receive a pension from the Dominican state; and Fidelina (Virtudes) de la Rosa will receive funding for academic research.
Meanwhile, Dayanira Miguelina Gatón will be able to realize her dream of traveling to Machu Picchu in Peru. And finally, Andrea Hernández Peralta will achieve her most cherished wish of visiting her sister in Austria, something she had never been able to do before.
The Medal of Merit for Dominican Women is the most important activity in the commemoration of International Women’s Day in the Dominican Republic. The distinction was created by Decree 3013-85 of the Executive Branch, on 29 May 1985, and its objective is to honor Dominican or nationalized women outstanding in different areas of national events.
Diomaris la Mala, Maridalia Hernández, Covi Quintana and Eddy Herrera, performed at the 37th presentation of the Medal of Merit for Dominican Women.
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Presidency
9 March 2022