For a Planet 50-50 by 2030: An International Women's Day Message from APC Dominican Republic

March 08, 2016

The Advancing Partners & Communities (APC) project in the Dominican Republic shared its thoughts on International Women's Day and the work the remains to be done in order to achieve gender equality:

International Women's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made by women and appreciate the central role women have played in the development and public health fields. According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, between now and 2030, we need to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in order to achieve a "Planet 50-50 in 2030." Today, we reflect on the challenges that remain in achieving gender parity.

In the Dominican Republic:

• 30 percent of women who are 15-49 years old have experienced some physical violence since the age of 15, a situation which particularly affects women who have five or more children;

• While HIV prevalence is 0.8 percent in the general population, the HIV prevalence among women living in bateyes (sugar cane fields) is 2.4 percent;

• Young women with no schooling have a higher HIV prevalence (3.9 percent) compared to young men with no schooling (1 percent).

• Two out of five HIV positive women have experienced physical abuse, about 37 percent have experienced emotional violence and 22.4 percent have experienced sexual violence;

• Unemployment among HIV positive women is higher than in HIV positive men: 58.2 percent of HIV positive women are unemployed while 27.6 percent of HIV positive men are unemployed.

International Women’s Day brings us together to work with determination to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment, and to end discrimination and violence. Guaranteeing equal opportunities for women to participate in economic, political and social development will ensure a fair and healthy society.