Kenia Lora emphasizes the urgency of placing childhood at the center of Dominican public policies. The PLD leader expressed this in a conversatory about child protection in the digital era, held at the National House of the party.
In a context of growing online exposure, Kenia Lora identified threats such as grooming, cyberbullying, and early hypersexuality. “The danger is closer than we think”, she stated, pushing for public policies adapted to these risks.
Advances and stagnation in attention to early childhood
Between 2015 and 2020, coverage for children went from 38,910 to over 205,000, thanks to sustained investments and programs like the Centers for Comprehensive Attention to Child Development (CAID). However, from 2020 to 2025, it only grew to 212,000, despite an 80% increase in budget and 50% in personnel. The cost per child rose from RD$31,000 to over RD$50,000, questioning the efficiency of current public policies.
Kenia Lora criticized this deceleration: “Childhood is not managed, it is advanced”. She recalled achievements of the Danilo Medina government, such as 4% of the GDP in education, extended school day, and Positive Parenting.
Digital risks and calls to action in public policies
Interinstitutional collaborations to protect children
Recent efforts include joint campaigns by INAIPI, CONANI, and DIGEPEP, with committed municipalities in comprehensive attention. Kenia Lora also links poverty and lack of public policies to the impact on childhood, emphasizing that investing in early childhood breaks cycles of poverty and violence.
- Grooming and cyberbullying: Growing threats in digital environments.
- Stagnant coverage: Need to expand access and quality.
- Previous initiatives: 4% GDP in education, CAID, and Safe Internet.
Experts agree that transversal public policies in education, security, and social protection are key. Kenia Lora urges political and social actors to prioritize childhood as the central axis.
In the Dominican Republic, where poverty disproportionately affects children, strengthening public policies is not optional. It is a decision about investments and priorities for a solid future.
