When discussing topics such as teenage pregnancy or the early unionsthe guidelines usually focus on women or girls; However, if we do not work in the same way and involve men, we will not be able to change this problem.
This is what he indicated Roland Angerercountry director of International Planan organization that is currently promoting the campaign “Let them speak“, which seeks to hear directly from girls and adolescents about the challenges they face on issues such as early pregnancy, child unions and gender violence.
“Many times we see the issue of pregnancies or early unions as a problem for women or girls. But gender has two sides of the coin: they are men and women, and if we do not work with men and change the thinking chip and the masculine attitudes“We are not going to have many changes, because this sexist and violent culture is going to continue,” he said.
The representative of International Plan indicated that, although child marriage is formally prohibited in Dominican Republicthe early unions are maintained informally and “remain high.” He expressed the organization’s concern about violence against children “in different forms and environments.”
“In international and continental comparisons, Dominican Republic is above the average of other countries (…) 25% of young women between 20 and 25 years old say they were in a union before the age of 18,” he stated.
When referring to the reasons for these levels, Angerer pointed out that they are related to the economic situation of the families and the situation of the girls “that they feel restricted in those homes and maybe see some opportunities with a man to get out of that, only to find themselves in another prison even worse, because that’s where the violenceexposure to pregnancies and their opportunity to access education is cut off.
“Let them speak“
Angerer stated that the campaign “Let them speak” arises from groups established in other projects, such as Grow Happypromoted to strengthen the self-esteem of girls between 12 and 18 years old, “so that they know a little more about their body, have the opportunity to learn how to prevent pregnancy, what can happen to them, what is the value of their education and what educational options they have to improve their income and their possibility of entering the labor market.”
- He recalled that, within the framework of the International Day of the Girlheld on October 11, local and international organizations held a feedback meeting with the young women who are part of the aforementioned groups, who shared proposals, analyzes and specific demands on the prevention of teenage pregnancy, the early unions and the fair redistribution of care in homes.
“We listen to what they tell us and, from there, we develop programs or we adjust the ones we have so that they are usefulness for them“said Angerer, who expressed his hope that the initiative serves as an example for other entities.
Green Future
Roland Angerer explained that another of the projects promoted by International Plan is “Green Future“, through which they support young people with limited resources in the preparation of business plans focused on the green economy.
“We started in the south; we already have several that make agricultural products with bees. There are ecorouteswhere areas were established that tourists can visit and, at the same time, protect the environment,” said the country director of International Plan.
With 37 years of presence in the country, International Plan Dominican Republic works in favor of children’s rights and equality, focusing its work in the southern provinces, where more than 20,000 families participate in its international sponsorship program.
