In a compelling address in Santo Domingo, UNICEF has urged for the recognition, protection, and empowerment of girls’ leadership in the Dominican Republic. The organization highlighted the critical need to safeguard their emotional well-being and ensure their right to grow up free from violence and discrimination. Under the global slogan ‘I am the girl, I lead change,’ UNICEF’s representative in the country, Anyoli Sanabria, reiterated the organization’s steadfast commitment to the rights of girls and young women, particularly in environments plagued by gender inequality and structural violence.
Sanabria emphasized, ‘Girls have the right to grow up without fear, to learn without violence, and to dream without limits. Listening to them and supporting their leadership skills is essential for building a more just and resilient future.’
Despite higher school attendance and completion rates among Dominican girls compared to boys, they face significant structural barriers that hinder their overall development and mental health. These challenges include teenage pregnancy, early marriage, unpaid domestic work, and high levels of physical, emotional, and sexual violence.
A UNICEF report on the situation of children and adolescents in the Dominican Republic revealed alarming statistics: 76% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 have been victims of some form of violence, 52.2% report sexual violence, and 45.5% have experienced physical or psychological abuse in the school environment. These figures underscore a normalized reality where violence not only affects girls’ present but also their future opportunities and emotional stability.
‘Every girl faces a double burden: she must survive violence while constantly proving her worth. Her physical and emotional integrity and her leadership skills go hand in hand,’ Sanabria added.
UNICEF also called for increased investment in mental health services tailored to the needs of girls and young women, and for the strengthening of public policies to combat gender-based violence in all its forms.
‘Investing in girls means investing in a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous country. They are not only the future, but also the present of the social change we need,’ Sanabria concluded.