Dominican Republic joins agreement on women’s health and family protection

The Dominican Republic has formally joined the Geneva Consensus Declaration on the Promotion of Women’s Health and the Strengthening of the Family, an initiative covering women’s and girls’ health, the protection of life and the role of the family.

Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó signed the agreement with Leah Francis Campos, the United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and Bethany Kozma, secretary of the declaration and director of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Global Affairs.

The declaration calls for equal opportunities for women and girls in political, economic and public life. It also promotes access to health services and stronger health systems and resources for women and children facing risk. The agreement recognises the family as a fundamental part of society and leaves each government to determine policies for expanding health coverage according to its own priorities and circumstances.

Member countries also commit to cooperation in multilateral forums and to promoting the declaration’s principles within the United Nations system. The initiative was originally launched in 2020.

Bisonó said the Dominican Republic was joining a community of countries that defend each state’s sovereign right to set policy under its constitution, legislation and national conditions. He said the decision reflected constitutional principles including women’s equality before the law and their right to develop their potential and access opportunities. Kozma welcomed the country’s participation, saying it broadened the coalition’s representation in support of life, family, motherhood and women’s health.

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The accession incorporates the country into a community of nations that defends the sovereign right of each state to establish its policies according to its constitution, legislation and national circumstances.