Gender justice in Puerto Rico: Domestic violence, legal reform, and the use of international human rights principles

AbSTRAcT This article examines the state of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. It investigates the ways by which grassroots movements and governmental agencies work collaboratively and independently towards the eradication of violence and discrimination against women on the islands. It also explores the island's past experience in managing change to create systems and programs that ensure women's human rights and gender equality. It analyzes related legal reform in Puerto Rico within the context of human rights. This article is dedicated to my parents Luz (rest in peace) and Juan Roure, the late Rhonda Copelon, and the women of Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra who fight for gender justice every day. A special thanks to the women and men I interviewed in Puerto Rico who made this article possible. A special thank you to Professor Bert Lockwood for his insight, direction, and support of my work, and to Nancy Ent and the staff and editors of Human Rights Quarterly. For valuable comments on earlier drafts, I am grateful to Virginia Sanchez-Korrol (and CUNY FFPP), Jenny Rivera, Rhonda Copelon, Maria D. Fernos, and Marta Mercado Sierra who also provided me with helpful WAO archival supervision. Woorahm Sean Yoo provided me with excellent research assistance and comments for three years on this project as did Lauren Fasano, who traveled with me to Puerto Rico and provided exceptional research support. Rebecca Landy and Emily Pierce also provided helpful research assistance. Jonatha