Dominican Republic. Within the framework of International Women's Day, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) highlighted the work of ten professionals who have promoted the protection of the ozone layer and environmental sustainability in the country.
The award, which was promoted as part of the Management Plan for the Elimination of the Use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the Dominican Republic (HPMP) Third Phase, financed by the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, was awarded in five categories.
In the field of Technological Innovation for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, women who have developed or implemented innovative technological solutions in the refrigeration sector were awarded. In this category, Betania Mabel Rivero, from the company PAREDOMI, for her work in the manufacture of refrigerated panels, and Madeline Ramírez, from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, for her contributions in the promotion of energy efficiency initiatives in the sector, were recognized.
In the Professional Excellence in the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol category, women with outstanding performance in the refrigeration industry, technical leadership and commitment to sustainability were highlighted. The winners were Ana Vanessa Ricardo, from the Green Customs Department of the General Directorate of Customs; Ramona Mejía Calderón, director of Validation and Certification of the National Institute of Technical and Professional Training; and Verónica García, from the Professional Technical Directorate of the Ministry of Education.
In the Promotion of Gender Equality in the Refrigeration Industry recognition, Cándida Familia Lara, a Refrigeration teacher, was awarded for her work in promoting female participation in the sector and her contribution to reducing the gender gap in a historically male field.
In terms of Trajectory and Commitment to Environmental Care, Marina Mariano Velázquez was awarded, who has dedicated her career to environmental protection within the refrigeration sector, demonstrating a constant commitment to sustainable practices.
Finally, the recognition for Young Promising Woman in Refrigeration was awarded to Yissel Valenzuela García, Roselin Esther Mora Rojas and Wanda María Rodríguez Sosa, who, in the early years of their careers, have shown great potential and leadership in the sector, as well as a firm commitment to caring for the environment.
During the event, the director of the National Ozone Program of the Ministry of the Environment, Mario José Pérez, highlighted the importance of the female role in the refrigeration industry and its impact on environmental protection. She stressed that of a total of 1,830 people who were involved in the strategies of the Dominican State in 2024 in this area, 528 were women and this shows the level of empowerment and participation of women in the adoption of measures for the protection of the ozone layer and the climate.
"In the last four years we have supported the training in good refrigeration and air conditioning practices of some 250 women nationwide, this contributes to achieving a better quality of life for these women, their family, their community and the country," said Sanja Bojanic, UNDP deputy resident representative in the Dominican Republic.
She also added that UNDP is committed to continue supporting initiatives such as these, with development and training programs that promote women's participation in this field, guaranteeing equal opportunities and access to the necessary resources for their professional and personal development.
Refrigeration, a sector historically dominated by men, has seen an increase in female participation in recent years. These professionals have demonstrated leadership and technical capacity, consolidating themselves as key agents in environmental protection. Prior to the awards ceremony, a presentation was given by Rosalía Piña, from the UNDP Gender Unit, on the empowerment of women in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, on the progress made in the implementation of measures to protect the ozone layer and the reduction of the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the Dominican Republic.The environmental volunteering and leadership initiative by Wendy Montero was also presented.
