In commemoration of International Day of the Girl, we organized a film forum featuring the movie Ramona at the Miches City Hall to talk about children's rights. Students from the Padre Daniel High School, local authorities, colleagues from the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), and presidents of the neighborhood councils attended the forum.
Special guests, Luli Vilas, Orlidy Inoa and María Batlle, collaborators of “Soy niña, soy importante,’’ (“I’m a Girl, I’m important”) joined us as moderators, guiding the conversation surrounding teenage pregnancy, comprehensive sexual education, the importance of the family in the development of a healthy childhood, and the role of the authorities and civil society to prevent the practice of sexual relations between minors and adults from being normalized.
GRADUATES OF SOY NIÑA, SOY IMPORTANTE HAVE THEIR OWN CLUB
We continue to support the development of our girls into their adolescence through the “I’m a Girl, I’m Important Club,” a new space where teens are offered educational activities geared towards their age group. Twenty-eight young girls between the ages 13 and 16 from the Cedro Municipal District, will meet once a week to reinforce knowledge related to sexual health care, personal wellbeing, vocational orientation and design a life project.
Club Med, GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) and Dominican Watchman are the sponsors of this pilot program, which will include workshops on painting, costume jewelry, self-defense, and artistic recycling. All the activities, including yoga classes and a visit to a mine to learn how women can also work in construction and operate heavy machinery, aim to promote self-confidence, trust in their peers, and teamwork.
FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO NEW YORK IN A WEDDING DRESS
Giselle Dubois, CEO of Spina Bride, a bridal dress store in New York, welcomed the opportunity to support “I'm a Girl, I’m Important,” and help the girls of her home country. We are so fortunate to count with Giselle’s contribution, giving back to the community that saw her become a successful businesswoman, and serving as an inspiration to our girls that striving to have a brand of her own is as exciting as it is rewarding and promising.
Spina Bride has offered to donate 100 USD to “I’m a Girl, I’m Important’’ for each wedding dress sold until January 1, 2024. This contribution is a sign of her commitment to the wellbeing and empowerment of girls and adolescents in the Dominican Republic.
