Over 100 children and adolescents in Dajabon province on the border with Haiti have graduated from the “Fabricando Sueños” (Manufacturing Dreams) initiative, a strategic program designed to combat high rates of teenage pregnancy, early unions, and gender-based violence. The project, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and co-financed by the European Union (EU), aims to empower youth through mentorship and rights-based education.
While Dajabón saw a 43% decrease in teenage pregnancies between 2019 and 2025, it remains a high-incidence zone. In 2025, the province recorded 151 cases, a rate of 24.59%.
The graduation comes amid encouraging national statistics. Data from the National Statistics Office (ONE) for 2025 reveals a 7.65% reduction in teenage pregnancies across the Dominican Republic compared to 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, 4,520 cases were reported, marking a 4.50% decrease from the same period the previous year.
The UNFPA office in the Dominican Republic highlights that despite the downward trend, significant challenges remain. There were 16,481 teenage pregnancies recorded nationwide in 2025. Of these, 5.01% (826 cases) involved girls under the age of 15.
Program impact and methodology
The initiative operates through “Fabricando Sueños” clubs for girls and “Team Chicos” for boys. According to Madelin Vialet, UNFPA National Coordinator for the project, the program has shifted mindsets significantly. Internal data show that 92.3% of participants now recognize that an untimely pregnancy would profoundly alter their life projects, and 100% of the female graduates have established clear educational or professional goals.
The curriculum focuses on four key pillars:
• Life project planning: Setting long-term personal and professional goals.
• Health and prevention: Responsible decision-making regarding pregnancies and early unions.
• Gender equality: Fostering equitable relationships to eradicate violence.
• Socio-emotional skills: Developing self-esteem and resilience.
Carol Canales, coordinator of the “Health and Safe Life” project, emphasized that strengthening self-esteem is crucial for transforming the reality of border communities. “When an adolescent discovers they can dream big, the entire community moves forward,” she stated.
To date, “Fabricando Sueños” has reached over 700 adolescents across the Dominican Republic. The program aligns with the country’s current legal framework, which strictly prohibits early unions and seeks to protect the rights of minors in vulnerable regions.
UNFPA contributed to adding 46 first-level care centers in the provinces of Azua, Dajabón and San Juan de la Maguana into the contraceptive services network, bringing the total to 218 centers with trained health personnel.
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Hoy
11 May 2026