The Ministry of Defense (MIDE) recognized the growing leadership and participation quota of 22% of military women in the ranks of its institutions, which was made evident this Monday, during a crowded flag raising, in which participated ladies that integrate the three military forces, specialized corps, dependencies of the Ministry of Defense and the National Police.
The event, which was also attended by military women from the U.S. Army Southern Command as special guests, was convened by the Directorate of Gender Equity and Development of the MIDE and the Dominican Association of Wives of Officers of the Armed Forces (ADEOFA). It corresponds with the implementation of Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council for the Dominican Armed Forces (Women, Peace and Security), which calls for an increase in the participation of women, due to their capabilities also in conflict resolution.
During the activity, headed by the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, ERD, and his wife, Wendy Santos de Díaz, president of the ADEOFA, the director of Gender Equity and Development of the MIDE, Lieutenant Colonel Dominga Madé Zabala, FARD highlighted the contributions, dedication, skills and commitment that distinguishes military and police women in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
“It is imperative that women continue to participate with equity, in an active manner and contributing their unique qualities in the establishment and consolidation of all peace processes necessary and essential for the sustained development of our nation,” said Madé Zabala.
She highlighted the effectiveness in the implementation of the plan, which is the basis for the current quota of participation of an increasing number of women within the Dominican Armed Forces.
“The plan is the accurate and precise instrument with which we will achieve the objective of incorporating more actively Dominican military women in decision-making in each of the instances and dependencies that make up our glorious institutions”, she pointed out.
During the activity, military and police officers were recognized for their service, leadership and great contributions, such as Brigadier General Ramona Díaz Morfa, ERD, a lawyer with 39 years in the institution and who was Attorney General of the Armed Forces. Also Brigadier General Architect Rosanna Libertad Pons Peguero, FARD, who was inspector general of the Dominican Republic Air Force; she is currently president of the Permanent Commission for the Reform and Modernization of the Armed Forces (Copremfa).
In addition, General Celeste Janet Jiménez Cabral, PN, with 31 years as a member of the National Police, an architect, was recognized and is currently the Director of Women’s Services and Domestic Violence of the Police. The work of Captain Ilonka Núñez Cepeda, ARD, a dentist by profession and deputy director of the Medical Corps of the Naval Base “Las Calderas” of the Navy, was also honored.
The battalion of military and police women present at the flag raising, consisted of two mixed companies made up of 4 platoons and the flag guard, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Leticia Sosa Polanco, ERD, with female personnel from the MIDE Honor Guard Regiment, specialized security corps such as Cesfront, Cesac, National Police and Digesett.
Source:presidencia.gob.do
