SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant national ceremony commemorating International Women’s Day, President Luis Abinader presided over the 41st awarding of the Medal of Merit for Dominican Women, the state’s highest honor recognizing female contributions to national development. The event, hosted at the National Theater Eduardo Brito, served a dual purpose: celebrating contemporary achievements and paying historical tribute.
The gathering held profound historical significance as it simultaneously marked the centenary of the birth of Minerva Mirabal, an iconic figure in the resistance against the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. Her enduring legacy was underscored as a foundational inspiration for modern generations of Dominican women excelling across public, social, and economic spheres.
Gloria Reyes, addressing attendees, presented a data-driven assessment of the nation’s gender landscape. She reported substantial progress in political representation, revealing that 9,167 women (constituting 43% of all candidates) contested the 2024 elections, with 1,226 achieving electoral success, securing approximately 49% of available positions. However, Reyes provided a balanced perspective by acknowledging persistent systemic challenges, including gender-based violence, economic disparities, and the inequitable distribution of domestic responsibilities.
The ceremony served as a panoramic showcase of female excellence, honoring dozens of distinguished women from diverse professional fields such as scientific research, journalism, athletic achievement, education, business leadership, diplomatic service, healthcare, and public administration. In a moving segment, a posthumous recognition was conferred upon Zobeyda Alejandrina Cepeda Peña, a revered feminist and human rights defender. The tribute to Minerva Mirabal was formally received by her daughter, Minou Tavárez Mirabal, connecting the nation’s past struggles to its present advancements.