Sexual and Reproductive Rights in the Dominican Republic: (Re)Thinking the Sexual Autonomy of the Teenager From the Perspective of Michel Foucault

Abstract

This work attempts to understand how certain institutions of the Dominican State violate the sexual autonomy of the Dominican teenager, thus affecting the correct assumption and exercise of the Sexual and Reproductive Rights of citizens. Initially, and from a quantitative perspective, the Dominican Republic’s legal status on sexuality and reproduction from the field of education and public health will be documented. Subsequently, and from a qualitative perspective, I will explore the role of the media applying Michel Foucault’s theories, considering the conceptualization of power, the technologies emanating from it, and the violation of the sexual autonomy of Dominican teenagers. This will allow to establish a different perspective on this reality and to set out several standards to create a Democratic Right of Sexuality that, in a context as particular as the Dominican one, is minimally solid in relation to human rights.