First Lady Raquel Arbaje announces values‑based sex education to curb teen pregnancy

Santo Domingo.- First Lady Raquel Arbaje announced that comprehensive, values‑centered sex education has been introduced in the early grades of public schools, with plans to expand the curriculum to seventh and eighth grades later this year to further reduce adolescent pregnancies, Diario Libre reported.

“We have begun teaching comprehensive sex education, rooted in values, in our primary grades, and next we will introduce it in seventh and eighth grades,” Arbaje said during the launch of the “Child‑Friendly Justice Guide” for judges and court staff, as reported by the news outlet.

Diario Libre noted that pregnancies among girls and minors declined by 4.15 percent in the first four months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.

Alexandra Santelises, Executive Director of the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani), explained that every under‑age pregnancy is logged and routed through a “critical response pathway” to ensure access to legal, psychological and family support services. A specialized working group will track cases involving adult‑minor relationships to guarantee accountability and follow‑through, she added.

The announcement coincided with the formal unveiling of the “Child‑Friendly Justice Guide,” a training manual designed to help judges identify and remove barriers that prevent children and adolescents from accessing justice. By pairing preventive education with strengthened legal protections, the government aims to create an integrated framework that promotes both youth well‑being and institutional accountability.