Last Sunday, the San Antonio Plaza in Escazú became a space for awareness and action with a recreational cycling event that mobilized the community in the prevention of violence against girls and female adolescents.
The activity, organized by the PANIAMOR Foundation in conjunction with the Municipality of Escazú, the Canton’s Sports Committee, the Escazú Cycling Association and FIFCO, gathered around 200 cyclists, who enjoyed two routes: a 10 kilometer family route and a 21 kilometer advanced route.
The day also included a variety of recreational and educational activities for the whole family. Attendees enjoyed a zumba class, spinning, inflatables and the PANIAMOR Technobus, an interactive platform equipped with state-of-the-art technology that seeks to develop digital skills in children and adolescents. The Edubici initiative, led by the Municipality of Escazú, promoted road safety education and the safe practice of cycling among children.
A fair of local entrepreneurs and live music by national singer María José Castillo brightened the day, which in addition to promoting healthy lifestyles, sensitized the community on the importance of preventing and responding to situations of gender violence, including those mediated by technology.
The funds raised will be used to develop educational interventions during 2025 in communities selected for their indicators of vulnerability and gender-based violence. These actions will include processes to strengthen socioemotional skills and empowerment for girls and adolescents, as well as training for families and communities.
Violence against women of all ages, including girls and adolescents, continues to be an urgent concern in Costa Rica. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 70% of the victims of domestic violence reported in the first four months of 2024 were women, while 85.5% of the reports of sexual abuse against minors in 2022 affected girls and female adolescents.
This initiative is part of PANIAMOR and FIFCO’s joint efforts to raise awareness about the importance of preventing violence and promoting a culture of peace.
