The organization Plan International Dominican Republic warned that, although child marriage is prohibited by law in the country, it still persists early unions that continue to seriously affect thousands of girls and adolescents.
Within the framework of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Womenthe institution indicated that these practices reproduce the same risks of violenceschool dropouts, poverty and teenage pregnancylimiting your educationhealth and life opportunities.
According to the global report The State of the World’s Girls 2025, 650 million of women and girls in the world were married before turning 18, and every year 12 million more enter unions that violate their rights.
“In Dominican Republicthe phenomenon is maintained through informal unions that remain normalized in many environments,” the entity details in a statement.
The study, based on interviews with 251 girls and young people who live or lived in these unions, reveals that more than one in four had no say in the decision to marry. Many were pressured by poverty, unplanned pregnancies, or deeply ingrained social norms.
These situations increase exposure to violence physical, emotional and sexualin addition to risks for the mental health derived from isolation and lack of support.
International Plan points out that, despite legal frameworks stronger, weaknesses persist such as insufficient detection mechanisms, limited services and social norms that are difficult to transform. The organization insists that protection must be strengthened so that it reaches more girls.
The entity highlights the need for a inter-institutional articulation firmest among the sectors of educationhealth, safety and security, since the health services are often the first point of contact for girls suffering violence.
Detect early signsguarantee sensitive attention to trauma and ensure access to information and health services sexual and reproductive are part of the essential measures.
Challenges
Although the country has registered progress in the reduction of teenage pregnancies and early unionsthe problem is still linked to structural conditions such as poverty and inequality that hit girls in vulnerable contexts hardest. Overcoming these barriers requires a sustained and coordinated response from all sectors.
“No girl should have her future interrupted by early marriage,” he said. Roland Angererdirector of Plan International Dominican Republicwho called transform attitudesguarantee equality and promote environments where girls can be heard and access real opportunities.
International Plan urged to redouble efforts to effectively apply the law, strengthen the capacity of health and protection systems, expand access to education and essential services, transform social norms that perpetuate violence and support the girls leadership and adolescents.
