Problem statement and target group

Puerto Rico currently has one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. In recent years we have seen an increase in this type of violence and from January 2021 until April 2022 we had a total of 8,665 cases. Women between the ages of 25-29 and 30-34 most commonly reported instances of gender violence for the aforementioned timeframe. 

A lack of educational awareness and ownership for solution-based approaches is persistent in Puerto Rico. This is evidenced by the lack of an integration of a gender perspective curriculum in the Department of Education, integration of education and accountability in public agencies and throughout the private sector that go beyond compliance.   

Aside from these issues, there is lack of visibility in the media and within political circles about this topic. Not only a lack of visibility but a full-frontal attack on women’s rights from the federal level down to the local level of government. This was evidenced by the leaked draft US Supreme Court opinion threatening with striking down Roe v. Wade and local political projects such as Proyecto Dignidad (Project Dignity). Proyecto Dignidad has pronounced itself as a political party against women’s and LGBTQ rights. Machismo is also ingrained within Puerto Rican (and other Latin American) cultures.

Proposed solution

We aim to raise awareness in Puerto Rico by creating safe spaces to dialogue about gender based violence and visibilize emerging and ongoing initiatives to address the current issues from its root. By sparking live dialogues through social media every two months this space shall amplify the message from organizations, leaders and subject matter experts that are shaping the conversation around the topics.

Hub activities

The creation of a virtual chat room Acción Violeta where we will follow up on the current situation of the State of Emergency for Gender Violence that is in force in the country. The live broadcast will be on our Facebook page - Global Shapers San Juan Hub.

Short term Goals

Complete a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify the organizations and leaders who are working with gender based violence initiatives in Puerto Rico.

Complete 5 live action dialogues to cover a variety of topics addressing gender violence to be held on a bi-monthly basis. 

Launch a survey with our audience to recover impressions, learnings, and needs to be addressed in live action dialogues. 

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/prennegro

https://www.instagram.com/globalshaperssanjuan/?hl=en