Dominican Republic: Bullying criminalized as UNICEF warns of risks to girls

In the Dominican Republic, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso has emphasized that bullying is now a criminal offense under the new Penal Code. During a teaching session at Liceo Matías Ramón Mella, Reynoso warned students that individuals between the ages of 13 and 18 could face imprisonment for bullying or discriminatory practices. She encouraged students to understand their constitutional rights and duties to foster a more just society.

Simultaneously, a UNICEF report titled ‘Analysis of the situation of girls, boys and adolescents in the Dominican Republic according to sex and social norms’ highlights a complex social landscape. While Dominican girls outperform boys in education—with 71.4% completing the second cycle of secondary school compared to 51% of boys—they face significant protection gaps.

The report reveals that over 75% of female adolescents have experienced violence during childhood or adolescence, and nearly half report abuse within school environments. Additionally, the country faces high rates of adolescent pregnancy, with 53 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19. Other challenges include inadequate menstrual hygiene management, which causes one in four adolescent girls to miss school or social activities.