Santo Domingo.– The Ministry of Women commemorated this Tuesday the 44 years since the beginning of public institutionalism dedicated to promoting women’s rights and gender equality in the Dominican Republic.
The institution held a thanksgiving mass at the Primate Cathedral of America Our Lady Saint Mary of the Incarnation, where authorities, employees, and representatives from different areas of the Ministry participated.
During the activity, the Minister of Women, Gloria Reyes, highlighted the progress achieved over more than four decades and recognized the work of the people who have contributed to the development of public policies in favor of women.
Reyes pointed out that this process has allowed for the progressive inclusion of women’s rights and gender equality in the policies of the Dominican State.
He also called for continued work to reduce inequalities, prevent violence against women, and expand opportunities for this segment of the population.
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The ceremony was also led by vice ministers Rosa Dariana Mejía Abud, Mayeline Indhira Santos, Lily Luciano, Daris Sánchez, Juana Damaris José Cáceres, and Miriam Jeannette Batista, along with other officials and employees of the institution.
The mass was led by priest David Soriano, who asked to keep in mind those who are going through vulnerable situations.
During the celebration, prayers were held for women who are victims of violence, for those who have lost their lives due to these acts, as well as for the children and adolescents who have been left orphaned and their families.
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Prayers were also offered for those who work in the prevention and care of violence against women.
As part of the ceremony, several symbols related to the Ministry’s work were presented before the altar, including the Magaly Pineda School of Equality and the Shelters, spaces dedicated to protecting women who are victims of violence.
A 44-year trajectory
The history of this institution began in 1982, with the creation of the General Directorate for the Advancement of Women, which had among its functions to foster the development of women and promote equality.
Years later, on August 11, 1999, the Secretariat of State for Women was created, which went on to direct and coordinate public policies related to women’s rights and gender equality.
In 2010, through Decree 56-10, the institution was renamed the Ministry of Women, a name it currently maintains.
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Currently, the Ministry is responsible for coordinating policies, plans, and programs aimed at promoting equality between men and women, preventing violence, and guaranteeing women’s rights.
The institution stated that over these 44 years, actions have been strengthened to address inequalities, prevent and attend to violence, and promote the participation and autonomy of women.
The Ministry of Women maintained that this trajectory also represents part of the evolution of the country’s public policies and the Dominican State’s efforts to guarantee women’s rights.
