1. STEREOTYPES AND DISCRIMINATIONS AFFECTING THE FULFILLMENT OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Alice Binazzi Daniel alicebinazzidaniel@virgilio.it GOV.DIV. Summer School, Florence, 28 August 2014

4. Methodology in Ethnography Combination of 4 methods of data production (J.P. Olivier de Sardan, 1995) including: Participant Observation; Interview, (as an informal interaction); Collection of written data “produced by local actors”, (local studies, initiatives and local press relevant articles); Review Processes (identification of associations, foundations and organizations effectively and locally working for children’s rights).

5. The Local Legal Framework 1991, ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, (CRC, 1989); 2003, Código para el Sistema de Protección y los Derechos Fundamentales de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes (Law 136). Entry into force 17/10/2004; 2006, ratification of the OPSC to the CRC; Law 136: a new phase for national child protection system. It recognizes children as full subjects of rights. It incorporates ILO principles to protect children and adolescents from their exploitation in child labour and its worst forms (ILO C138, and ILO C182).

7. Boca Chica

9. Asymmetries in local society Asymmetric relations and oppositions: Black/white: blanco-bonito vs. negro-feo;  blanco→ blanquito→ indiecito→ indio→ trigueño →morenito→ moreno→ prieto→ negro = haitiano;  pelo malo/pelo bueno/pelo bonito; tourist/local, foreign resident/autochthonous, economically dominant and older man or woman/economically weaker and younger girl or boy, adult/child, emigrate to the West/local person of the family, Local discrimination towards Haitians.

10. Stereotypes and discriminations about children: “I will have many children, in order to have them maintaining me”. The “remunerative” child; To grow a child is often seen as a “charity” act; When the stereotype of a “remunerative child” is associated to the idea of a child, as a “parent’s property”, there is an abuse of parental authority; Corporal punishment, as “useful” for children’s education; Skin colour discrimination attitudes towards the child, often, begin inside his/her family; Gender issues (limited access to school, domestic work); Children living on the beach or on the street as delinquents. Among this group: Haitian children, a double discrimination.

11. Main findings of this research highlight that: Intra-familiar violence, as most frequent motivation given by interviewed children, for abandoning their family context; Stereotypes and discriminating visions can seriously limit the prevention of violence against children or even create the pre- conditions for sexual exploitation of children; Links between local exploitation of children and adolescents in travel and tourism and other child exploitation phenomena; The foreign resident powerful role and status, in the local community, is still very poorly investigated. In the local community, a sense of tolerance towards sexual exploitation of children emerges, as well as a disregard for children’s rights.

12. Where are girls?

13. Reflections To focus on the eradication of local stereotypes and discriminating attitudes is fundamental to prevent and respond to violence against children; The role of a quality rights-based education is crucial to achieve this goal; Family and community sensitization; Non-formal education activities, by local organisations should be supported; Full implementation of national Law 136; Requalification of local tourism. New positive image of this destination. Sensitization in origin countries of incoming tourists. Poverty alleviation strategies and children’s empowerment.

15. alicebinazzidaniel@virgilio.it alicebinazzidaniel@virgilio.it Publications available online, from: - Save the Children Sweden, Resource Centre on Child Rights and Child Protection; - Institut du Droit de l’Enfant/Institut Universitaire Kurt Bosch, Switzerland Thanks!