AZUA, Dominican Republic — 

On a bustling Saturday morning at Marcia Gonzalez’s place of worship, a bishop paid a visit. Typically, she would have been assisting with organizational tasks, but on this particular day, she was educating students on sexual health at a nearby school.

González stated that she organizes events at the church and her husband serves as a deacon. She explained that the bishop visits once a year for the confirmation of children, but she is present because she recognizes the significance of this event for her community.

For four decades, Gonzalez and her spouse have advocated for more comprehensive sexual education in the Dominican Republic, which is one of four Latin American countries that bans abortion without any exceptions. Women can be imprisoned for up to two years for undergoing an abortion, while doctors or midwives can face penalties of five to 20 years.

The Caribbean nation, with a Bible depicted on its flag, boasts a strong alliance of Catholics and evangelicals who are in agreement about maintaining the criminalization of abortion.

Candidate Luis Abinader made a promise to decriminalize abortion in 2020, but his administration has not taken action on this promise. The outcome of this decision may be determined by his potential reelection in May.

In order to assist young women in avoiding unintended pregnancies, Gonzalez and other advocates have created “teen clubs” where teenagers can gain knowledge about sexual and reproductive rights, self-confidence, gender-based violence, finances, and other relevant subjects. The objective is to provide the next generation of Dominican females with a sense of empowerment.

Activists state that sex education is often inadequate outside of clubs. Approximately 30% of teenagers do not have access to contraception, and living in poverty adds to the likelihood of experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

In addition to the issue of being unable to end a pregnancy, Gonzalez also worries about the teenagers she advises.

Activists report that due to poverty, some mothers in the Dominican Republic are forced to marry their daughters who are only 14 or 15 years old to men who are up to 50 years their senior. It is estimated that nearly 70% of women in the country experience gender-based violence, including incest, and families often choose to stay silent about instances of sexual abuse.

In 2023, the United Nations Population Fund reported that out of every 1,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19, 42 became mothers. Prior to the release of UNICEF’s 2019 report on child marriage, it was found that over one-third of women in the Dominican Republic were either married or in a free union before reaching the age of 18.

Even though child marriage has been banned by Dominican laws in 2021, it remains widespread due to its acceptance and lack of knowledge about the law among community leaders.

Gonzalez shared that in her granddaughter’s 14-year-old class, two of her younger peers are already wed. She explained that some mothers entrust the care of their younger children to their older daughters, resulting in the girls leaving to start a family instead of tending to their siblings.

Advocates are optimistic that education can serve as a preventative measure for girls in avoiding this circumstance.

According to Gabriela Díaz, 16, during a recent event hosted by the Women’s Equality Center, there are misconceptions surrounding menstruation. Some believe that it makes women unclean or that their blood is dirty, but this is untrue. Menstruation actually helps the body cleanse itself and improve its functions.

Díaz refers to Gonzalez as “godmother,” a title used by Plan International for community leaders who carry out the projects of this organization based in the U.K. that advocates for children’s rights.

Based on its own records, San Cristóbal and Azua, the cities where González resides, have the highest incidences of adolescent pregnancy and underage marriage in the Dominican Republic.

To combat this issue, the clubs allow girls aged 13 to 17 to join. Each group holds 2-hour meetings per week and can accommodate up to 25 members. The groups are facilitated by volunteers such as González.

In addition to the southern region of the Dominican Republic, San Cristobal also hosts teenage clubs sponsored by the National Confederation of Rural Women, known as CONAMUCA.

Lidia Ferrer, a leader of CONAMUCA, stated that the organization was initially formed to combat land ownership issues. However, as the environment has evolved, they have incorporated additional concerns including food sovereignty, agrarian reform, and sexual and reproductive rights.

According to Ferrer, their clubs bring together 1,600 girls in 60 different communities. The specific subjects they cover may differ depending on the location, but some common topics include teenage pregnancy, young marriages, and femicide.

Kathy Cabrera, who became a member of CONAMUCA clubs at the young age of 9 and now mentors new generations, stated that our own reality serves as the foundation for our experiences and hardships.

According to Cabrera, rural areas are experiencing a growing number of migrations. Women are faced with long distances to travel in order to attend school or access water, and their sexual and reproductive rights are not adequately ensured by health services.

The government instructs individuals not to have an abortion, yet fails to supply adequate contraception to prevent it.

She has seen the disturbing reality of 13-year-old girls becoming pregnant by 65-year-old men, with little concern shown by their families or authorities. In some cases, parents even “give away” their daughters due to financial struggles or their loss of virginity.

Cabrera explained that the practice of marrying and having children at a young age in her family was not considered as sexual abuse. She felt pressure to follow in their footsteps.

Many girls in the southern communities of the Dominican Republic can identify with this, or know someone who can.

“My sister got pregnant at 16, and that was very disturbing,” said 14-year-old Laura Perez. “She got together with a person much older than her, and they have a baby. I don’t think that was right.”

The dynamics of the clubs are adjusted accordingly to establish secure and caring atmospheres for girls to express their emotions. Some meetings begin with calming activities while others start with games.

Several young women openly share their accomplishments. One girl recounted standing up to her father when he forbade her from picking lemons during her period. Another mentioned how her and her friends always use the buddy system when using the restroom for safety reasons. They all view their godmothers as influential figures who support and guide them.

Gonzalez stated that people come to her to share their secrets. She is pleased that no girls in her group have gotten pregnant.

Several teenage girls who attend clubs have aspirations they hope to pursue. At 16 years old, Francesca Montero aspires to be a pediatrician. Perla Infante, 15, has dreams of becoming a psychologist. At 18 years old, Lomeli Arias hopes to become a nurse.

“I aspire to become a soldier!” exclaimed Laura Perez, the 14-year-old who is determined not to follow in her sister’s path.

“I was unsure, but when I joined CONAMUCA, I realized my desire to become a soldier. Being surrounded by strong women who are like me, but also serve as mentors, gave me the motivation to pursue this path,” Perez explained. “It’s like a child observing an adult and thinking, ‘When I am older, I want to be just like them.'”

Source: voanews.com