Protestors Demand Decriminalization of Abortion in Dominican Republic: Solidarity with Women Worldwide

“Causals go!” was the clamor of those who gathered in Mitchell Square Park in Washington Heights on Sunday,

“Who takes care of the safety, health and future of these women? Right now, the government, no!” exclaims Margarita Lopez.

The National Caucus of Dominican Women, the Dominican Women’s Development Center, as well as elected officials and community advocates came together in solidarity not only with women on the island but also from around the world.

Here the gathered community asks the government of the Dominican Republic to approve in its Penal Code the decriminalization of abortion in three exceptions:

1. When a pregnancy represents a risk to the life of the woman.

2. If the fetus comes with malformations incompatible with life.

3. And third, if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

The organizers recognize the Dominican diaspora present in New York, especially in upper Manhattan, and, according to what activist Zenaida Méndez tells us, the vote of Dominican women here in the city is higher than that of 20 provinces on the island.

Zenaida Méndez, President and Founder of the National Caucus of Dominican Women asks:

“Why do legislators have to decide in our body? Our body, our decision and the president of the DR won the presidency with the vote of women because he promised that in the first year of his administration he would approve the three causes and this is the time and he has not done anything”.

Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo argues:

“We are seeing it here in the United States and here in New York, we have taken steps at the state level to protect access to abortion, but we know that in parts of the world, such as the Dominican Republic, it is not the same reality, but we know that women are facing the same problems.”

The defense of sexual and reproductive rights prevailed throughout the meeting.

Margarita López, former New York City Councilwoman adds:

“And the inalienable right to our body, no government in the world has the right to legislate it, no matter what government it is, and this belief that we have to be legislated in our reproductive system is the biggest absurdity that could have occurred to any government that has a constitution where democracy is what it commands.”

“As a man, as a father, as a husband, as a brother, as a son, it is that I understand, we understand that the rights and freedom of women make us men, at the same time, freer as well”, says Ángel Bogaert , event attendee.