We announce initial results of the Reproductive Justice Fund and issue an urgent call to action

The Women’s Foundation of Puerto Rico (FMnPR), the only fund in the country dedicated exclusively to promoting gender and racial equity, today announced the initial results of the Reproductive Justice Fund (FJR). The FJR was created in 2020 to support local organizations working to protect and expand reproductive health services in Puerto Rico.

«It’s incredible that, despite what we have learned about this issue as a society, still only 1.5% of all philanthropic funds are allocated to the crucial issues of gender and reproductive rights. We see and read about the devastating effects of this deficiency in the press daily, and yet, we do not make the connection between this reality and the need to prioritize this issue that affects the entire population. Reproductive justice is a matter of rights, not morality, and it should be viewed under that lens because its absence affects people of all races, genders, and social classes,” said Zulnette García, spokesperson for the Foundation.

In its first year, the Reproductive Justice Fund awarded grants to six organizations, including Alianza de Mujeres Viequenses, Mujeres de Islas, Nuestra Escuela, Caderamen, Aborto Libre, and Wet Justice.

«The initial results of the FJR are wonderful, but at the same time reveal that there is still much to be done. There is very little awareness of the resources needed to ensure the right to access information; it is crucial that people know the guarantees provided by the State on issues of sexual and reproductive health, their reproductive and gender rights. Our organization makes an urgent call to foundations, individual donors, and other organizations to support the work of organizations that promote reproductive justice in Puerto Rico and direct their funds towards defending the rights of all people,” added García. “We want to achieve more safe and inclusive spaces where participants can clarify their doubts about the topic in an environment free of judgment”.

The organizations that applied to the fund had the mission of developing education strategies outside of social networks that would reach the heart of the communities. “We also value the efforts of projects aimed at youth and their caregivers, as Wet Justice did”, she concluded.

In this first phase of the program, educational activities were carried out in Adjuntas (Centro Paz para Ti), Luquillo (Alacena Feminista), and in Río Piedras (Catholic women). People from rural communities, diverse genders, Afro-descendants, Catholics, young people, and adults participated. The modules aimed at adolescents/young people included: human rights, sexuality and sexual diversity; puberty and adolescence; self-esteem and body image; sexual consent; grooming and improper relationships; pornography (a topic included at the request of mothers); sexual and reproductive rights of minors in Puerto Rico, among other topics. For its part, Wet Justice achieved twelve workshops in rural areas, the metropolitan area, and the island municipality of Vieques. The module/workshop was aimed at caregivers.

The Women’s Foundation of Puerto Rico (FMnPR) works for social transformation by supporting organizations led by women and non-binary people that promote the integral well-being of women and their communities.

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Press contact:
Ada Torres Toro
torrestoroada@gmail.com
787-368-8484

FMPR Contacts:
Zulnette García (787) 408-1066
Marta Elsa Fernández (787) 221-4593