Vice President Raquel Peña led the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting significant progress and remaining challenges in preventing, addressing, and eradicating this pervasive issue. The day was named in honor of the Mirabal sisters, murdered during the Trujillo regime. As shared in a Presidency press release, Vice President Peña emphasized that the event served as a tribute not only to the memory of the Mirabal sisters but also to their lives, inspiring continued efforts in the pursuit of justice and equality.
“The causes they championed remain our own. Their lives teach us that the struggle against violence and oppression was not in vain,” Peña stated. She underscored the enduring legacy of the Mirabal sisters, asserting that it extends beyond mere remembrance and compels ongoing efforts to combat all forms of violence against women.
Peña also highlighted the passage of a resolution in June to commemorate the 25th anniversary, strengthening the Dominican Republic’s commitment to global efforts in preventing and eliminating violence against women.
She had praise for the efforts of Women Minister Mayra Jimenez. “Thanks to the global leadership of the UN and the tireless work of our Minister of Women, Mayra Jiménez, we have witnessed significant progress: more women are accessing education, participating in the labor market, and assuming leadership positions,” the Vice President added.
Minister of Women Mayra Jiménez echoed Peña’s remarks, outlining advancements and challenges in addressing gender-based violence. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating this issue.
“This reaffirms our country’s firm and resolute commitment to work until there is not a single victim and until we achieve, as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, freedom and equality in dignity and rights,” Jiménez assured.
María Noel Vaeza, UN Women’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized the critical role of academia and grassroots organizations in advancing women’s rights and establishing protective legal frameworks.
On November 25th, the Dominican Republic and the world will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, 1 this day honors the Mirabal sisters, iconic symbols of the global struggle against gender-based violence.
Diario Libre reports that this 2024, the Dominican Republic has recorded a disturbing number of at least 47 femicides. The brutal nature of these crimes is evident in the various methods employed, including shootings, strangulation, and severe beatings with blunt objects. Alarmingly, a significant portion of these cases are linked to domestic violence, underscoring the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence in the country. Many victims have reported difficulties in obtaining adequate protection, citing factors such as delayed responses to complaints, lack of faith in law enforcement, and complex dynamics of economic and emotional dependence on their perpetrators.”
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Presidency
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
21 November 2024