The Office for Women’s Development of the province Hermanas Mirabal announced the celebration of the Cavalcade of the Butterflies for No Violence against Women, a massive equestrian event that will take place on June 6, with the support of the ministries of Sports and Recreation, Tourism and Agriculture.
The activity was presented during a press conference in the James Rodríguez Hall of the Ministry of Sports, headed by the Vice Minister of Sports, Franklin de la Mota, representing Minister Kelvin Cruz, along with Senator Mercedes Ortiz and members of the organizing committee.
According to the organizers, the horseback riding event has established itself as the main gathering of the equestrian family in the Dominican Republic, bringing together participants from different provinces of the country every year.
Senator Mercedes Ortiz explained that the initiative has been promoted since 2012, with the aim of promoting domestic tourism, social integration, and awareness of the fight against violence against women.
In this edition, the cavalcade will be dedicated to the Chinese people, in honor of the Lunar Year of the Fire Horse, as well as to the horse riders of the province of Sánchez Ramírez. Outstanding women linked to the equestrian world will also be recognized.
The organizers reported that the participation of more than 1,500 horsemen is expected from provinces such as La Vega, Santiago, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, La Altagracia, Monte Plata and San Pedro de Macorís, among other demarcations.
The route will be between 16 and 17 kilometers, of which approximately four will take place within the urban area of the municipality of Salcedo, passing through the so-called Route of the Murals and various historical and cultural spaces.
The route will also include the Hermanas Mirabal Museum, the museum house of Doctor Tejada Florentino and other emblematic points, as well as natural areas such as the Ecoparque de la Paz and the Guanuma River Linear Park, integrating culture, history and nature.
Vice Minister Franklin de la Mota highlighted that the activity goes beyond a horseback ride, constituting a national message of rejection of violence against women and a vindication of the legacy of the sisters Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal.
“We want to invite everyone to support this event and what non-violence against women means,” she expressed.
During the meeting, congresswoman Carmen Ligia Barceló highlighted the importance of strengthening social awareness against domestic and gender-based violence, while Senator Mercedes Ortiz stated that the activity seeks to unite sports, culture, and social commitment in favor of the Dominican family.
The Butterfly Cavalcade will begin at 8:00 in the morning from the facilities of the Liceo Científico de Salcedo, with an open invitation to the entire population to participate and support the message of coexistence and rejection of violence against women.
Linda Veras es periodista y comunicadora social dominicana, egresada de la licenciatura en Comunicación Social de la Universidad Católica Santo Domingo (UCSD). Actualmente se desempeña como periodista de De Último Minuto, donde realiza coberturas noticiosas, entrevistas, reportajes y producción de contenidos para plataformas digitales.
