SANTO DOMINGO– Women's leadership in the economy, planning, finance, public policy innovation, and development has been fundamental to the country's economic growth; as it acts as a catalyst for change in vital sectors that promote prosperity and collective well-being.
In this regard, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development highlighted the contributions of more than 60 women linked to the Dominican economy and promoters of gender equality in the country, contributing to a more equal and equitable society.
The Deputy Minister of Economic and Social Analysis, Alexis Cruz Rodríguez, indicated that the recognition is part of the entity's commitment to equality, which is realized through the development of plans and public policies in which the perspectives of human rights and gender are integrated.
She also stated that by publicly recognizing 20 women economists who contribute to public policy, economic thinking on development and planning, a historical debt is being paid by the Ministry of Economy to identify them as role models, which is made possible through the "Economy is Woman" campaign, created and coordinated by the Communications Department.
Also, as part of the campaign, recognition was given to the collaborators of the Ministry of Economy who promote and contribute to the processes of inclusion of equality in the National Development Strategy (END), the Reports of the Sustainable Development Goals, the creation of the Interinstitutional Coordination Committee, which has laid the foundations for choosing the entity as a pilot of the Public Seal of Gender Equality.
In that order, 47 collaborators of the Ministry of Economy were awarded “everyday doers of gender equality”, in the categories Health and well-being, Equality in the workplace, Economic empowerment, Promotion of equal education, Innovating in equality policies, Defenders of women's rights, and Leadership in equality.
Vice Minister Olaya Dotel received the highest distinction in the Leadership in Equality category, accepting her award from Vice Minister Cruz. “This recognition is more than just putting a face to the process of building an economy that includes many valuable women.”.
Key figures in the Dominican economy
The women economists highlighted by the Ministry have promoted economic sciences from academia to public and private institutions, noted Vice Ministers Cruz and Martín Francos, the latter from Planning and Public Investment.
In that regard, the economists Magdalena Lizardo, Susana Gómez, Jacqueline Mora, Mercedes Carrasco, Maritza García, Gladys María Santana, Norma Eliza Franco Báez, Milady Santana Silvestre, América Bastidas, Jacqueline Boin, Ellen Pérez, Persia Álvarez, Olga Díaz Mora, Rita Mena, Consuelo Cruz Almánzar, Rosa Cañete, Miosotis Rivas Peña, Esther Hernández, Ivelisse Russo Rijo and Altagracia Rivera were recognized.
Similarly, special recognition was given to the “Center for Solidarity for the Development of Women (Ce-mujer)”, for the work carried out to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of Dominican women and for the promotion of a culture that fosters new values of equality and personal, family and social relationships.
The contributions of women in different fields were recognized. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
Promoters of equality
The selection of the collaborators promoting equality at the Ministry of Economy was developed based on the indicators created by DICOM by the deputy ministers, thus allowing a representation of all ministerial areas.
In the “Leadership in gender equality” category, those who lead gender equality initiatives in the Ministry were recognized, headed by Vice Minister Dotel, Ana Mejía, María Santana, Evalina Gómez, Yusmilka Karolina García, Virma Johanna Disent and Cibeles Sánchez.
In the category of “Innovation in Equality Policies,” Pilar Melgarejo, Elva Mercedes, Yoanna Medina, Fredyna Rivas, Joselyn Espinal, Cibeles Sánchez, and Mar García were recognized. These women work in the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development, developing innovative policies to promote equality.
The awards ceremony highlighted, equally, the “Defenders of women's rights” in different areas, and the Ministry of Economy cross-cuts it: Luisa Miolán, Mirna Jiménez, Reyna Gomera, Susana Elivo, Janna López de la Rosa, Martha González Pons and Elvira Lora.
In the category “Promotion of equal education” those who work to guarantee an equitable education through educational policies were recognized: Madeleine Rivera, María Mendoza, Yelidá Blanco, Martina Jorge Carvajal, Nadia Cordero, Jhoanna Arias and Glennys González.
Regarding “Economic Empowerment”, the following collaborators were awarded for promoting economic independence and financial empowerment through important studies and programs in the territories: Vickeisy Mercado, Ana María Fernández, Yaurimar Terán, Paola Peralta, Sandra Lara and Hortencia Álvarez.
The “Equality in the Workplace” category recognizes the female employees who work to ensure an equal work environment at the ministry: Yania Taveras, Altagracia Morban, Lynette Bidó, Odalis Feliz, Bethania Vegazo, Elizabeth Ferrera, and Magaly Gómez.
Finally, in “Health and Wellbeing” the collaborators who advocate for health and wellbeing were recognized: Emma Rodríguez, Mirna Jiménez, Hairys Tejeda, Amanda Rodríguez, Yameli Rodríguez and Dr. Katia Peña.
