Puerto Rico just declared a state of emergency to combat domestic violence
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi has declared a state of emergency over the high rate of violence against women, a move advocates hailed as a crucial step for the island, which has some of the highest rates of gendered violence in the world.
Why is the Governor declaring a state of emergency now?
Combating domestic violence was one of Governor Pierluisi’s campaign promises ahead of his victory in November’s election. Then this week, Puerto Rico was rocked by the death of Angie Noemi Gonzalez, a nurse who was killed by her husband.
In 2012, Puerto Rico had the world’s highest per capita rate of women over the age of 14 killed by their partners.
Who was Angie Noemi Gonzalez?
Gonzalez was a nurse who had worked through the pandemic at an aged care home in Puerto Rico. She had recently survived cancer and had previously wondered whether she should file a restraining order but thought it pointless. Her partner of 16 years, Roberto Rodriguez, admitted to killing the mother of three.
What does it mean to declare a state of emergency in Puerto Rico?
The Governor’s executive order includes a series of policies designed to combat domestic violence, such as:
A mobile app to help victims request assistance and report perpetrators to the police
New public education campaigns
A new program where authorities check in with women who have filed restraining orders
“Gender violence is a social evil, based on ignorance and attitudes that cannot have space or tolerance in the Puerto Rico that we aspire to… It is my duty and my commitment as governor to establish a STOP to gender violence and for these purposes I have declared a state of emergency.” - Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, speaking on Tuesday