Spanish
Santo Domingo. – The Minister of Women, Mayra Jiménez, stated that, although femicides continue to be a painful challenge for Dominican society, the statistics reflect an 8% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, she warned that "even one case is too many" and reiterated that the government's priority is to continue strengthening policies for the prevention of and attention to gender-based violence.
Jiménez explained that every Thursday the ministry reviews the national indicators and that, after five years of implementing prevention and support programs for victims, progress has been made. However, he stressed that the fight against violence requires the commitment of the entire social fabric, including community organizations, churches, and local leaders. "Violence against women has to be addressed from that perspective in which we all commit to eradicating it," he said.
In relation to the recent cases of sexual assaults against girls and adolescents, the official described these events as "aberrant and outrageous." She pointed out that, although the protection of children falls to other instances, the Ministry of Women demands thorough investigations and exemplary sanctions. She highlighted that the new Penal Code typifies and toughens sanctions against this type of crime.
The minister also highlighted the importance of citizen reporting as a positive indicator of trust in the protection system. She assured that the permanent campaign promoted by the Ministry of Women and the Government has motivated more people not to remain silent in the face of violence. "There is much more awareness, less tolerance and more commitment from society to confront this scourge," concluded Jiménez.
