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A groundbreaking report by Plan International, titled ‘Let Me Be a Girl, Not a Wife,’ has exposed the alarming role of social media in perpetuating child marriage. Presented in Spain’s Congress of Deputies ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), the study highlights how digital platforms are inadvertently facilitating contact between minors and older men, undermining parental authority and pressuring families to marry off girls to ‘preserve their honor.’ The report, which includes testimonies from over 250 girls across 15 countries—including the Dominican Republic—reveals that 12 million girls are forced into marriage annually. While global rates of early marriage have decreased from 22% to 19% in the past decade, the study found that six in ten married girls neither study nor work, and over a third are compelled to leave school. Poverty remains the primary driver of child marriage, but the report emphasizes that social media has emerged as a new enabler, allowing men to exploit vulnerable girls. Despite child marriage being illegal in 14 of the 15 countries studied, informal unions continue to be socially accepted. Plan International has called on governments to invest in education and initiatives that challenge harmful societal norms and safeguard girls’ rights, reaffirming that every girl deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive without the burden of forced marriage.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Lebanese Syrian Palestinian Club is commemorating its 100th anniversary this year, celebrating a century of cultural enrichment and community engagement. Established in 1925 by Middle Eastern immigrant families, the club has evolved into a vital cultural institution, fostering tradition, integration, and family unity across generations. This milestone underscores its enduring role as a cornerstone of cultural pride and solidarity in the Dominican Republic. To honor its centennial, the club has unveiled an extensive yearlong program packed with cultural, artistic, and philanthropic events. Highlights include the Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian Culture Festival on October 4 and 5, a belly dancing workshop on November 5, a charity bingo event on October 30, and a pop-rock concert featuring Aljadaqui, Neokarma, and 4ta Dimensión on November 1. December will bring a Christmas Bonus celebration, a White Party, and a grand New Year’s event, with further activities announced via the club’s social media channels. Yamil Attias, the club’s president, highlighted that the centennial not only celebrates the institution’s rich history but also pays tribute to the immigrant families who created a space dedicated to unity, solidarity, and cultural preservation. The festivities, hosted at the club’s headquarters in Santo Domingo, will extend throughout 2025, marking a century of brotherhood and cultural exchange.

Santo Domingo is set to host the International Forum ‘Mental Health and the Penitentiary System’ on October 10 and 11, 2025, at the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National Library Auditorium. The event, coinciding with International Mental Health Day, is organized by ONAPREP in collaboration with the Regional Penitentiary Academy (ARP), the Prisons Forum, the Dominican College of Psychologists (CODOPSI), and the Dominican Association of Social Work Professionals (ADOPTRASOC). It will convene experts from Argentina, Spain, the United States, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

Over two days, the forum will delve into critical issues surrounding mental health in prison environments. Discussions will explore the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, the biopsychosocial approach to behavior, youth risk factors, and the challenges faced by the Dominican penitentiary system. Additionally, international best practices for psychological care of inmates will be highlighted. Notable speakers include Elliot Palma, Juan Carlos Corzo, Carlos Fonfrías, Julio Santana Mariño, Juan Carlos Domínguez, Silvio Angelini, and Nubia Lluberes.

The opening ceremony will feature addresses from Dr. Víctor Atallah, Minister of Public Health; Roberto Santana, ONAPREP director; Elliott Palma, forum coordinator; and Yanis Mejía, coordinator of ONAPREP’s Health Department and CODOPSI president. The agenda includes keynote speeches, thematic panels, roundtable discussions, and the signing of the Ibero-American Declaration on Mental Health and the Penitentiary System, which will encapsulate the forum’s findings and recommendations. The event aims to foster collaboration among justice, health, and educational institutions, advocating for evidence-based public policies and human rights to enhance comprehensive care within prison systems.

The Isabel Aguiar overpass, a significant infrastructure project in Santo Domingo, is officially set to open on Wednesday, October 8, following an 18-month construction period. Located at the intersection with 27 de Febrero, the overpass aims to address chronic traffic congestion in the Pintura zone. With a total cost exceeding 2 billion pesos, the project was meticulously supervised by Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella. The 480-meter structure is designed to accommodate 70,000 vehicles daily, facilitating smoother travel from Pintura to Plaza de la Bandera. The overpass features five lanes—three east-west and two west-east—constructed with reinforced concrete, New Jersey-type walls, and post-tensioned beam bridges, enabling vehicles to travel at 50 km/h without traffic lights. Additionally, the project is expected to reduce travel times between Santo Domingo Oeste, the south, and the National District by up to 40%, while providing direct connections to the 6 de Noviembre Highway and the 27 de Febrero Extension. Minister Estrella also announced that the overpass will be complemented by a trench at Plaza de la Bandera, slated for completion by mid-2026, offering a long-term solution to traffic woes. The construction was funded through the Aerodom contract, with a focus on timely payments and efficient execution.

An anteater, recently rescued while crossing a street in Verón, La Altagracia, is set to make its public debut at the National Zoological Park as early as next week. Nayib Emilio Aude Díaz, the park’s director, revealed that the animal’s origins remain a mystery, as there are no official records of its entry with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Authorities suspect it may have been smuggled or arrived as a stowaway. Upon its arrival, the anteater was found to be underweight, dehydrated, and stressed, prompting immediate medical attention and a quarantine period for recovery. The zoo team is now actively searching for a potential mate to ensure the animal’s long-term well-being. Belonging to the order Pilosa, anteaters are native to South and Central America and are renowned for their distinctive elongated snouts and specialized tongues, which are perfectly adapted for feeding on ants and termites. Beyond their unique physical traits, these mammals play a vital ecological role by regulating insect populations, aerating soil through their foraging activities, and contributing to the overall health of ecosystems. Their presence highlights the critical importance of biodiversity and the intricate connections between species within natural habitats.

In a recent interview on the program *Esto no tiene nombre*, Rafael Alburquerque, a labor law expert and former Vice President of the Dominican Republic, denounced the unethical practices of certain employers who exploit Haitian workers and subsequently seek their deportation to evade paying labor benefits. Alburquerque labeled these actions as abusive and illegal, highlighting their detrimental impact on both the affected workers and the nation’s global reputation. He emphasized that such practices undermine the principles of legality, respect, and accountability that should govern labor relations. Alburquerque also addressed the 80-20 rule in Dominican labor law, which requires that at least 80% of a company’s workforce be Dominican. While exceptions are permitted for industries like construction and agriculture, he argued that the process for granting these exceptions should be managed by the Ministry of Labor in collaboration with employers, unions, and the National Migration Institute, rather than being solely at the discretion of the President. Furthermore, he called on the government to enhance oversight mechanisms to ensure that employers fulfill their obligations toward foreign workers. Alburquerque warned that failing to address these issues could lead to international complaints and damage the country’s standing. He concluded by stressing the importance of balancing national interests with the protection of human rights in the hiring of Haitian labor.