They conduct the panel "Narratives that prevent and deconstruct gender-based violence"

Santo Domingo. - Within the framework of the project "New narratives for the prevention of gender-based violence" with the technical and financial support of the European Union and implemented by the consortium formed by Save the Children Dominicana, Sindicalistas sin Fronteras, MUDE and Alianza ONG, held the panel "Narratives that prevent and deconstruct gender-based violence", with the aim of mobilizing a joint action to add to the prevention and eradication of violence in the country. The event, which took place at the Hotel Barceló Santo Domingo, began with opening remarks by Alba Rodríguez, executive director of Save the Children Dominicana, with a call to move forward in a society where messages and words give voice and name to gender-based violence, eliminating all those social constructs that blame and revictimize girls, adolescents, and women. For the executive director of Save the Children Dominicana, eradicating and fighting against gender-based violence cannot be achieved without changing the narratives that normalize these violences and leave aggressors unpunished. As a contribution to this change, the "Guide on Equality, Non-Discrimination and Prevention of GBV for Marketing, Advertising and Communication" was also presented, prepared by the consultants Laura Ramírez and Nicole Pichardo, which is expected to be a resource for media and agencies committed to the fight against GBV. "This event is part of the project New narratives for the prevention of Gender-Based Violence funded by the European Union and which for more than a year has worked to create guides, materials and communication products that contribute in our country to advance in the construction of narratives and messages from all actors in society," he highlighted. He reiterated that what is normalized in words, messages, comments, and press writings conceals the blaming or potential blaming of girls, adolescents, and women for the sexual violence they are victims of. "The fight against gender-based violence cannot be won without prevention, and prevention cannot be achieved if we do not banish and change the narratives that place girls, adolescents, and women as guilty, instead of as victims," declared Alba Rodríguez.

While in his intervention Jared Ortiz, executive director of Alianza ONG, proclaimed that gender-based violence is not a women's issue; it is a problem for all of society that requires responses from all of society. "Each of us has the power to choose which narratives to reproduce and which new stories to build."

In that same order, Laura Ramírez, co-creator and consultant of this guide, stated that choosing respect and narrative responsibility is also a way to innovate because today more than ever, doing it well is as urgent as making it visible. For her part, Jeannie Ferreras Gómez, gender and youth officer of UNFPA, explained in her speech that in the case of the media, a narrative of raising awareness and empathy is important. You may be interested in: CABEI to extend actions against Dante Mossi in a US court Similarly, journalist Hogla Enecia developed the topic "Treatment in the media against revictimization", who narrated her work experience in the media with the issue of femicide from the judicial source. "It is important to generate this campaign from the media on how to address the issue of gender violence to promote greater awareness among journalists and media directors. "In the case of the media, the narrative of empathy and awareness must be reviewed." This panel closed with a call from Mrs. Carolín Mejía, moderator of the activity, to unite in a commitment from the different sectors of society to change the narratives and thus protect girls, adolescents and women.

About Save the Children

With over 50 years of national experience focused on guaranteeing and promoting the Rights of the Child, as part of the Save the Children Association, they are committed to the common mission of ensuring that all children enjoy the rights that correspond to them according to the UN International Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted and opened for signature on November 20, 1989 and ratified in the Dominican Republic on June 11, 1991.