High Rate of Feminicides in Dominican Rep Requires Cultural Change

The president of the Gender Commission of the Senate of the Dominican Republic, Aracelis Villanueva, said today that the 61 feminicides recorded in the country in 2024 demand a real commitment to cultural and structural transformation.

She said that this “alarming” number of feminicides, according to data from the Directorate against Gender Violence of the Attorney General’s Office, reflect a crisis that transcends statistics and deeply affects families.

Villanueva said that this context demands from everyone, from their respective responsibilities, a greater commitment to prevent violence and promote equity.

“We cannot allow narratives that blame women for family or social challenges to become excuses that make invisible the deep roots of inequality and violence,” she said.

For the senator for the province of San Pedro de Macorís, it is time to change the narrative.

“Behind every successful woman, she indicated, there is most likely effort, discipline and the right to choose her own path, without success being incompatible with a balanced life.”

She said that women not only fight to achieve their personal and professional goals, but also work tirelessly to build homes, communities and a more just and equitable country.

Her statements were issued after Pastor Ezequiel Molina stated on January 1 that “behind every successful woman, there is most likely a neglected home.”

Although the Pastor later maintained that his words were misinterpreted and that his intention was not to disparage women, but to defend them for having a “double burden,” the truth is that his words generated criticism.